I’m gonna start this year off by being the idiot.
Why?
Because
Unemployment is at an all-time low. (Finding a replacement is no longer easy.)
Isolation and loneliness are at an all-time high.
Companies need for productivity is at an all-time high
A key element to responding to all of those issues lies in building psychological safety on your team and being the idiot on your team can help.
Saying, “I made a mistake” “I don’t know” or “Clearly I need more training on this” without fear of retribution (because you are the leader) gives your team the opportunity to admit the same.
And when they can admit the same, you are creating a safe place to make mistakes, as a team.
Trust is a handy weapon that can get your team to want to stay working for you, reduce their own sense of loneliness, and increase productivity.
And that is just one leadership quality that can foster a positive and supportive environment.
Most importantly, the best thing you can do is to never stop learning.
“One commonality among all great leaders I’ve ever met is that they’re students of leadership,” says Simon Sinek. “Great leaders are always observing, studying, learning, evolving, and improving.”
You can be that leader.
Be the idiot. Watch your team engage.