The Pratfall Effect: How Imperfection Can Strengthen Leadership

I ‘stumbled upon’ a social media post that made reference to the “Pratfall Effect,” and being diagnosed with incurable curiosity I decided to read up on it. Wikipedia refers to it as “the tendency for interpersonal appeal to change after an individual makes a mistake, depending on the individual's perceived competence. In particular, highly competent individuals tend to become more likeable after committing mistakes, while average-seeming individuals tend to become less likeable even if they commit the same mistake.”

It made me reflect of how it applies to leadership… So, if the Pratfall Effect suggests that individuals perceived as highly competent can increase their likability by displaying minor flaws or mistakes, how can this manifest in leadership? Evidently, far from undermining their reputation, these imperfections can make leaders appear more human and relatable. Hence, I think for leaders, this phenomenon offers a persuasive insight, namely, that a carefully balanced display of vulnerability can enhance influence, provided it builds on a foundation of established credibility.

Obviously, competence is the foundation of effective leadership. Employees, stakeholders, and teams look to leaders for direction, expertise, and reliability. The literature on the Pratfall Effect highlights that only those already viewed as capable reap the benefits of a misstep. An experienced executive who forgets a statistic during a presentation, only to laugh it off and move forward, may endear themselves to their audience. In contrast, a leader struggling to prove their worth risks amplifying doubts with the same error. Thus, the effect hinges on a pre-existing perception of competence.

Why does this matter? In an era where authenticity is highly valued, leaders who appear overly polished can inadvertently create distance. A flawless facade may signal inaccessibility or even distrust, as team members wonder if such perfection masks hidden weaknesses. By contrast, a leader who admits to a small oversight, for example, misjudging a due date or sharing a light-hearted story about a past failure, can foster connection. This relatability builds trust, encouraging collaboration and loyalty. Yet, there’s clearly a delicate balance to strike. The Pratfall Effect fades if imperfections erode confidence or become habitual. A leader who consistently stumbles risks being seen as inept rather than endearing. The key thus lies in authenticity and restraint, i.e., genuine moments of humanness, not artificial blunders, resonate most.

Practically, leaders can apply this by owning occasional missteps with confidence and grace. For instance, acknowledging a minor oversight in a team meeting, followed by a swift reorientation to solutions, demonstrates both accountability and resilience. Such actions signal that perfection isn’t the goal, but progress is. Essentially, the Pratfall Effect reveals a counterintuitive truth, namely, that strategic vulnerability, rooted in competence, can elevate a leader’s impact. By blending strength with authenticity, leaders not only inspire but also connect, proving that, sometimes, a small crack in the armour lets the light shine through.