On leadership: mistakes

Like some of the happiest humans on the planet, I park in a gravel parking lot. This fact delayed the discovery of one of my most embarrassing mistakes this past year. I had taken several steps before setting foot on an even, firm surface. When something felt off, I looked down and saw this.

Yes, I made it to school wearing two different shoes. At that moment I had to choose between the two options all of us face after making a mistake.

1. Try to cover it

2. Own it

Folks in leadership are bound to make mistakes. Information is spread clumsily. Stakeholders go unconsulted. Words are spoken hastily. Afterwards, the same choices present themselves: own or cover.

Similarly, leaders must choose how to respond to the mistakes of those with whom they work. Leaders must chose to respond with one of two attitudes.

1. Empathy

2. Criticism

How leaders respond to their own mistakes and the mistakes of others has tremendous effect on the culture of the organization.  Three question prove helpful in deciding how to respond to mistakes.

1. Do the individuals in the organization trust each other? 

2. Are the individuals in the organization primarily motivated by internal or external factors?

3. Does pressure tend to improve the performance of the individuals in the organization?

Personally, I think the most effective organizations are those where individuals trust each other enough to own their own mistakes because each person is motivated by an internal desire to succeed rather than a desire to avoid the external pressure of shame. 

In my mind the most effective organizations are also those where it's appropriate to laugh at the guy who shows up occasionally in non matching shoes.