Authenticity Lesson 2 – learnt from a senior leader.
He was a busy man and held several responsibilities. He was traveling extensively and overlooked a critical email. He had seen it the previous week and recognized that it required action by few members in his team. He intended to share it with concerned people. But, he simply forgot.
By the time he remembered on Friday afternoon, the work had to be completed by Monday morning. It meant the team would have to work in the weekend.
This leader could have downplayed the situation, especially given his hectic schedule. He could have shared a partial truth, “Sorry folks! The email slipped through the cracks in a busy week.” But, he did something different.
He gathered the concerned members on Friday afternoon and said, “Folks, I will be honest with you. I saw the email and meant to inform you, so you have the whole week to deliver. But I forgot, and that’s on me. I apologize that because of my oversight, you all have to work through the weekend. Here’s how I will help you……”
Yes, we worked that weekend, but I learnt an important lesson in authenticity.
🪴 🪴 Lesson 2: To err is human. However, authenticity is about having the courage to own up our mistakes, especially when we have the chance to get away with half-truths.
How often do you see people own up their mistakes? How does it connect with authenticity? Love to hear your thoughts.
Stay tuned for my Lesson 3 in authenticity
Perspectives 