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Most of my writing is generated from two areas: my own interactions with the world/staff/family or from discussions with clients, either current or potential. I still encounter a struggle from business leaders or even people in my day-to-day life to say they failed at something.
There is still such a stigma when it comes to failure. I know from my seat as a leader, it took me a long time to be able to just say, “that I failed” or “I dropped the ball”. There was always a knee jerk reaction to scramble for a reason why something did not happen or trying to please the person that we are working on it and will drop everything to make it right.
Even when I hear company leaders report to shareholders, no one just says we failed. There is the spin that goes out to give sense of comport to staff/inventors/clients that the person driving the ship is in control.
But are we looking for perfection in our business partners? In this time of data overload for clients are they really still looking for more spin? Receiving more confusing reports or information to an already filled plate. Or are we looking for a guide that will help them navigate the waters, even if they have to admit, the course we took got us lost or took longer than expected.
I know that I have garnered more when I have admitted failure than just gloated over my successes. Allow yourself to show who you are fully to your clients, your team, your family and I will tell you more business will come your way. Your poker face is not as good as you think.
I feel we are looking for a commonality in our partners. To see the human side of those we do business with or partner with. Should we really be focusing on the journey and be open to see what we learned, saw or experienced? Or just so driven on results nothing else matters.
Now before everyone rallies and thinks I am crazy, I am well aware that results matter. I am in business to succeed but I think that when leaders admit failure it makes them human to their team/clients and they are willing to work harder for them. Now understand repeated failure is not an option. Results do matter but the idea that we cannot say we failed is a troubling thing.
If you want to chat reach out to me on Twitter @glennpasch or on LinkedIn.
Glenn Pasch is the current CEO of PCG Digital Marketing as well as a father, husband, writer and part of the National Speaker Association. I am excited to be part of the Digital Marketing Strategies Conference April 12-14th in Napa. Come join me.