The concept of what makes a great business leader has been steadily evolving over the past several decades. While a heavy-handed, top-down approach may have once suggested a certain level of power and authority that compelled employees to perform at high levels, such a detached style of leadership has been on the wane for some time. Nowadays, servant leadership, transparency, vulnerability and emotional intelligence are attributes that fuel successful leadership.
To create a psychologically safe, supportive work environment where team members feel they can be both themselves and highly productive at the same time, it is important for leaders today to speak up and address issues past leaders may have never been aware of or simply ignored. Below, 15 Forbes Coaches Council members share key things leaders can say to their employees to cultivate a trusting, high-performance workplace where people feel inspired to do their best work.
8. ‘I’m not perfect, and I make mistakes.’
As leaders ascend the ranks, they are seen in a new light, and there are seemingly different expectations. Leaders often feel they need to hold back from sharing their mistakes for fear of looking like less of a leader or not capable in the role. Employees want to see their leaders as “human” and learn from them how to tackle setbacks and adversities. – Kristy Busija, Next Conversation Coaching, LLC