Where Do You Focus Your Leadership: Perfection or Development?
Pauses and considers.
When you review the work of your team, do you first find flaws or advances they have made?
Many well-intentioned leaders concentrate on what is lacking.
They have great expectations of themselves and others.
However, when gaps always take front stage, teams may start to lose confidence instead of gain it.
Often in executive coaching discussions, I find:
“It is never enough whatever I do.”
These words capture not a lack of skill but rather a lack of recognition.
The trap of perfection against the excellence practice
It is impossible to be perfect.
Perfecting is a habit.
Though modest, the difference is significant.
Often, perfection results in:
Continually emphasizing mistakes
Reluctance to assume risks
Anxiety about committing errors
Lots of stress and, finally burnout
Excellence motivates:
Development beyond excellence
Drawing knowledge from past experiences
Leadership grounded in strengths
Strength and development
Five reflective questions to lead with compassion and confidence
For my team and myself, what then constitutes success?
When I concentrate on what is lacking rather than what is functioning, what message am I delivering?
How may I provide comments that inspire confidence and trust instead of causing anxiety?
How may I support learning from mistakes free of judgment?
How can I change my leadership to honor development while still pointing toward excellence?
How to Promote a Confidence Culture
Recognize what is working before you fix problems.
Honor little victories to foster confidence and momentum.
Comment with ideas that inspire learning rather than perfection.
Set aside an area for invention and exploration.
Model self-compassion to encourage others’ resiliency.
Confidence Building’s Effects on Leadership
Leaders that give progress top priority:
Create capable, self-assured teams.
promote psychological safety
Promote experimentation and risk-taking.
Boost involvement and teamwork.
Final Thought: Which first catches your eye?
Looking at the work of your team, where does your focus turn?
To what is lacking or their distance from one other?
Lowering standards is not the definition of leadership.
It’s about motivating trust in the path of perfection.
Starting Your Leadership Path with Business Coaching
Business coaching may help you be ready to lead with confidence, build trust, and motivate development in your teams. Let’s see how coaching could improve your leadership presence.
