I don’t imagine you do.  So if you think most people are like you in this regard, then why do most organizations and their leaders find it so difficult to admit it when they’ve made a mistake?  Patrick Lencioni touched on this topic briefly during his keynote address at our Vistage National Chief Executive Conference.   His point about why transparency and vulnerability trump the false notion of perfection reminded me of an exercise I’ve led at dozens of workshops on crisis communication.

Ask any group of people to identify the attribute that separates their very best friend in the world from all other friends and acquaintances.  You’ll hear a list that includes: honest, open, trustworthy, there when I need them, etc.  What we learn from this list, (which NEVER includes words like perfect or perfection by the way) is that these attributes are what people want from the relationships they value most.

So if you want to strengthen bonds with employees, colleagues, friends, customers, and investors, don’t worry about being perfect (about trying to protect something no one really believes anyway).  Admit it when you’ve made a mistake and resolve it quickly.  It’s this act, born out of imperfection, that will serve you and your organization best.