Leaders: You don't have to be perfect

JUST because you happen be the head of a company, or senior director or managing a team, it doesn’t mean that you have to be perfect all of the time.

We are all human and are all capable of getting things wrong or making mistakes, the skill of being a great leader is recognising that you are not always going to be in the right. In fact thinking that you are never wrong can cause you major problems in all aspects of your life.

On a personal level I can recall a flippant comment from somebody that helped me improve my approach in business. At the time I was training a group of consultants on recruitment techniques.

I remember one guy turning round and saying to me ‘James I don’t think you’re a great trainer’. At first I was quite taken aback and took the comment personally.

When I asked the guy to explain what he meant by his comment he told me ‘Because you never make a mistake, so I don’t think you are a very good role model’.

After I got over nursing my pride, I realised that what had been said was in fact a very telling and perceptive comment. Like any leader, I have always felt that my role is to practice what I preach and make sure I lead by example.

But one thing I hadn't taken into account was that at the same time I also have to show that I am human too.

If you really want people to engage with you on a personal level and to be inspired by you, it’s not always about being a perfectionist. Sometimes you have to demonstrate a sense of realism.

In my organisation I like to foster a creative culture, one where people share their ideas freely. Not be stilted by comformity, as can be the case in some of the large corporates. That means allowing people to try out new ideas but giving them the breathing space to make mistakes.

After all, it has been the mistakes I've made throughout my career that have taught me the biggest lessons.

I like to think of it as simply bringing me one step closer to getting it right!