Let’s talk about something a lot of us avoid like the plague—sharing our failures. I know, it sounds about as fun as a root canal, but trust me, there’s magic in it.
As leaders, we’re often expected to have all the answers, to be the ones steering the ship through calm seas and stormy weather alike. But here’s the thing—no one expects you to be perfect (except maybe yourself). So why not let your team in on a little secret? You’re human too.
Celebrating Wins and Failures: A Leadership Power Move
When I was leading big teams, I made it a point to share what I was working on, whether it was mastering a new skill, negotiating a bigger deal, or just plain taking a risk. And you know what happened? My team started to celebrate with me when I nailed it, and more importantly, they learned with me when I didn’t.
This isn’t just about being transparent (though that’s important). It’s about creating a culture where everyone feels safe to take risks, make mistakes, and grow from them. It’s about building *psychological safety*—that warm, fuzzy feeling that comes from knowing your team has your back, no matter what.
We even had a phrase baked into the entire company’s culture:
“Fail Fast and Fail Cheap”
Why This Matters: Imposter Syndrome and Psychological Safety
Ever feel like you’re one misstep away from being “found out”? That’s imposter syndrome, and it loves to thrive in environments where people feel isolated in their struggles. But when you share your journey— chin hairs and all—you’re not just humanizing yourself; you’re reducing that nasty imposter syndrome for everyone.
When your team sees you, the leader, embracing both your wins and your failures, they start to feel like it’s okay for them to do the same. They stop attributing their successes to luck or external factors and start owning them. And let’s be real—if you’re comfortable talking about your challenges, they’re more likely to bring theirs to the table too.
How to Get Started
So how do you put this into action? Start small. Here are a few ways to weave this mindset into your leadership style:
1. Share Your Journey: Next time you’re tackling something new, let your team in on it. And go into detail! Really open up and make them a part of the journey.
2. Encourage Team Transparency: Make it a norm for everyone to share their own challenges and successes in team meetings. You’ll be amazed at how quickly this builds trust and openness.
3. Reframe Failures as Learning Opportunities: When something doesn’t go as planned, reframe it as a learning opportunity. Ask, “What did we learn?” instead of “What went wrong?”
By doing this, you’re not just leading a team—you’re creating an environment where everyone feels valued, supported, and, yes, even safe enough to fail. And that, my friend, is leadership at its finest.
Now For A Challenge…
I want to challenge you to elebrate a risk you took—whether it was a win or a flop. Share it with your team and talk about what you learned. Why? Because when you openly embrace risks and learning, you create a culture where everyone feels safe to grow.
Here’s your mission: Pick one risk you’ve taken recently, and discuss it in your next team meeting. This can be something big or small…at work or even at home. Break down what worked, what didn’t, and what you’re taking away from the experience. This simple action can transform how your team views challenges and setbacks.
Let’s make learning from our fumbles the new leadership superpower.
Now go be human! 🙂