If someone approached you and they claimed to be flawless, could you trust them? Chances are, slim to none that you could; the same disbelief applies to consumers and self-defined "perfect" brands. On the flip side, if you demanded perfection from someone in your small business would you get it? Similar to those slim figures, your employees are more likely to fearfully cover-up their mistakes than not make them at all.
For the sake of your brand, customers and employees alike, a flawsome outlook offers quite a few positive spins. No one is perfect and flaws are inevitable; it is how you tailor them that truly matters.
If Your Build It, They Will Judge
As a small business owner, you continue to make conscious decisions about building your brand. Similarly, consumers continue to judge your presentation and define your image based on what it means to them.
Consumers cannot trust in a brand that claims to be perfect. Alas their doubts are confirmed when that brand makes an inevitable mistake. A flawsome approach is in fact, a proactive approach to identifying yourself as a human brand. Consumers are driven by brands with personality and who favor humility over perfection. Rather than look like robots, a flawsome small business can set themselves apart with humor, character and as a result, influence.
Running your business under a flawsome regime means you will adapt an attitude of transparency. The likelihood that consumers will find out about your hiccups and faux pas are great, so why not beat them to the punch? By being open and honest people will have less to gossip about and will most likely respect your brand for its forthright approach.
Employees Want to Be Flawsome Too
Such an attitude does not have to stop with your brand's image. By implementing a flawsome outlook your employees can also benefit. Think back to your most feared boss? Where did that awkwardness come from? Chances are intimidation, a closed-door policy and a short fuse were to blame.
Some leaders might think this attitude keeps people working diligently, and in a lot of cases it does. However, turn this theory on its head, and consider what an employee might do when they make a mistake. Chances are they will franticly look for a rug to sweep it under.
By implementing a flawsome environment, employees will be free to openly discuss their questions, concerns and missteps. With an air of transparency, you and your team can point out potential sinkholes. More importantly, your flawsome attitude will allow you to regroup while collectively creating lessons learned and a proactive plan for next time.
Employees will likely respond with a better outlook and greater level of job satisfaction. With an absent intimidation factor, productivity, motivation and creativity will likely thrive. Additionally, a flawsome approach can open your eyes to great talent among your team.
Employees who are granted the opportunity to improve upon their mistakes are likely to exude confidence due to the palpable growth. Additionally, knowing that they will not suffer from the backlash of their mistakes, employees will be more willing to take chances and less likely to do the bare minimum, just to safely slide by.
Stop Floundering and Be Flawsome
The next time you see a flaw or mistake, try to twist your perception to view it as an opportunity. Like all other things with your small business, you can only work with the tools and resources that you've got.
Debate and discussions about your flaws give you more insight and resources to work with and possibly put you at a greater advantage compared to your competitors.
How To Approach Your Next Mistake Flawesomely
Admit to your misstep. The sooner you can address your mistake, the sooner people will stop gossiping and speculating. Apologize and if appropriate, laugh at yourself. Humor is the best medicine; but be sure to use your common sense before you make a joke of something serious, making matters worse.
Show off your lesson learned. Say for example, you are being blamed harming the environment. Post pictures of your new green efforts and provide infographics to display how companies can clean up their act. The idea is to improve upon your brand by joining the effort, not avoiding it.
Get back to business. Once you've addressed the issue, apologized and made an effort to improve, its time to move on. Flawsome means being upfront and comfortable about your flaws, not dwelling on them.
