Fewer heroes, more human beings. Or rather, let's just say: be more human without wanting to seem like a freak.
There's a fairly widespread leadership model that suggests leaders be and behave like corporate demigods. One who never makes mistakes, who always knows what to do, who has the perfect plan ready before the problem arises. A beacon in the night, the Rock of Gibraltar, an unshakeable point of reference.
Very evocative. Too bad it's also completely unrealistic.
This myth of the flawless leader has done more damage than a flawed Excel spreadsheet sent to the accountant for the financial statements: it has created unbearable pressure for those who lead, and work environments where no one dares make mistakes, ask for help, or say "I don't know." It has become a stage costume, one that is worn every day. Only, beneath the mask lies anxiety, fatigue, and loneliness.
And you know what's the joke? Not only is it a toxic model, it also works poorly. When the leader pretends to be omniscient, he blocks everything: no one takes risks, no one proposes anything, because "he already knows everything." The desire to innovate is killed by the fear of disappointing. In the end, you stop growing and start to float. With style, sure, but still floating.
The Perfection Trap and the Illusion of Respect
When a leader pretends to be perfect, others stop seeing them as an ally and begin to perceive them as an unattainable ideal. The result? Distance, frustration, and often, disengagement.
Why should I open up to someone who never shows a crack? If he doesn't trust me enough to be human, why should I?
Let's think about it: the people who truly inspired us in life weren't perfect. They were real.
They are the ones that, despite their limitations, have made us understand that we can improve. That we can grow. That we can even fall and then get back up, without losing value.
Today, leadership needs to change. We no longer need gurus, but people. Not models to copy, but relationships to build.
Being authentic doesn't mean belittling yourself. It means having the courage to say, "I need you." Creating an environment where people feel free to contribute without the constant fear of making mistakes. Where you don't work breathlessly, but with breathing space and trust.
Because a team that feels free to speak, make suggestions, and get involved... is a vibrant team. Motivated. And therefore, more productive.
Being approachable is not a weakness
The paradox? The best-performing companies aren't those with the most authoritarian leaders, but those with the most authentic leaders.
Yes, real. Not "cute and cuddly." Real. People who tell the truth, who really listen, who don't turn every meeting into a talent show where the winner is the one who guesses what the boss wants to hear.
My experience tells us that a leader's strength lies not in appearing flawless, but in making themselves accessible. Not in doing everything alone, but in building trust. And trust, lo and behold, is only created when one is honest, consistent, and a touch vulnerable.
In short, you don't need 100 skills to be a good leader. One is enough: knowing how to be human.
And here's the question to take home:
If infallibility is no longer a requirement, what is the most valuable quality for those leading a team today?
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