It’s common for leaders to fall for this trap, and it can actually REDUCE the amount of influence they have over their team.
By building an armor of perfection, always having the answers, never letting their human side show, leaders are working to command respect from their team.
Behavioral research tells us there’s more to the story.
Researchers tested how people perceive highly capable individuals who make a minor blunder such as spilling a beverage all over themselves.
The results are a wake-up call for business leaders:
When a person perceived as competent makes a mistake, they are rated as the MOST likeable and influential over a person in a similar scenario who does not make a mistake.
Psychologists call this the Pratfall Effect.
When a highly competent leader shows real vulnerability, it breaks the “superhuman” facade and builds psychological trust and increases rapport.
It’s important to note that competence comes first. Your team wants to know you’re capable AND flawed at the same time.
True leadership development isn’t about being flawless—it’s about learning how to balance high competence with authentic influence.
Contact us today to learn how our tailored development programs can level up your executive team.
