The Power of Mistakes in Leadership and Team Growth

The HR Lady, Podcast

It's a hard truth many leaders face: People learn best from their mistakes. However, if you're always stepping in to save the day, your team won't learn how to troubleshoot effectively. This not only leaves you overwhelmed and frustrated but also sends a message that you don't trust or value your team. Leaders must stand up for themselves and their teams, and sometimes that might mean allowing your people to make mistakes that will teach them valuable lessons.

When employees fear making mistakes, they might hide them, try to fix them without your knowledge, or worse, quit. Each of these actions can lead to poor work quality, low morale, and high turnover, which is costly and time-consuming. Remember, high turnover often reflects poorly on the manager, not just the company.

A Gallup survey showed that half of the employees left a job to escape their manager, yet this same group felt engaged when they could approach their manager with any question.

So, what does it mean to be truly engaged at work? It means employees understand the manager's goals and the department's vision. They might not agree with every decision, but they trust in the leadership's due diligence. Unfortunately, 60% to 70% of employees are not engaged, with only about 30% feeling fully engaged, according to various data.

This brings us to the core issue: Engagement flows from the top. As a leader, it's your responsibility to ensure that information cascades properly to every level of staff.

If you're finding management challenging, you're not alone. It's a complex task dealing with unique humans. But remember, one person can make a difference, and that person could be you. You can start by fostering an environment where mistakes are openly discussed and learned from. Schedule regular meetings where teams can share lessons learned without fear. This not only builds trust but also loyalty and motivation.

With over 25 years of experience in HR, a master's degree in human resources, and another in healthcare administration, along with numerous certifications, I bring a wealth of knowledge and a proven track record. My experience covers various industries, allowing me to offer customized solutions that genuinely fit the unique needs of your business.

Visit thehrlady.com to transform your workforce.