No matter your professional experience or how high you have climbed on the corporate ladder, you are susceptible to failure. Although this should come as no surprise, it seems as though many individuals — especially those in leadership positions — attempt to hide their humanity behind a guise of having it all together and masking their mistakes.
However, it is imperative to note that the leaders who embrace their failures are those who see the greatest professional success. This is because, as with everything in life, there are lessons to be learned from our shortcomings.
With that in mind, let us delve deeper into the topic of what leaders can learn from their failures.
Actively engage with your employees
The last thing any leader wants to do is coast through their day-to-day routine, especially if that means they do not pay adequate attention to their employees and their needs. If such a thing were to happen, employees would inevitably spiral into a cycle of self-reliance or, even worse, shirk their responsibilities without proper supervision.
Therefore, it is important to prioritize one’s employees and schedule regular check-ins to ensure they are not only meeting their deadlines, but are doing so comfortably and without too much difficulty as well.
Remember that communication is key
Very little is more frustrating than working beneath an individual who is uncommunicative. Combat this common workplace struggle by over-communicating with your employees — but do not inundate them with information, either. The best way to gauge how effective or ineffective your communication skills are is to simply ask. If an employee feels as though they need more or less attention or clarification, they will be sure to let you know.
Do not be afraid to give detailed explanations
Receiving vague instructions from one’s superior is nothing new in the corporate world — in fact, it is so widespread that it is known as one of the most common causes of workplace stress and anxiety. Therefore, it is important that one delivers thorough explanations to their employees as soon as a new task arises.
However, it is also important that one ensures they do not sound condescending or as though they are talking down to their employees. So, with that in mind, be sure to strike an appropriate balance by giving your employees said thorough explanation, then remaining open for questions throughout the remainder of the day or even week. This will minimize your employees’ guessing game and make certain the entire team is on the same page.
