The ‘X-Factor’ of creative leadership. 10 of 10. Show no fear of your weaknesses.

It’s easy to think as a leader that, when you are appointed, you show up pre-packed. Your appointment is validation that you have everything you need. No chinks in the armour.

Wrong.

Knowing, admitting and understanding how you are flawed as a leader is probably the biggest and most important foundation stone there is for a career in leadership, in my humble opinion.

Do you know what you are missing? Has it been pointed out to you? Have you admitted it to yourself? Have you even asked anyone?

No matter where you are with these questions, make sure you get some perspective on your shortcomings and embrace them. Build this perspective into your day-to-day work in the form of criticism.

I think it’s important to have a culture in creative departments where constructive criticism is part of the everyday language — from you to your direct reports, from them back to you and within your team. Removing fear from offering an honest opinion within teams is essential if they, and you, are to grow and improve.

Clearly, there need to be some rules of engagement. Constructive criticism and progressive feedback can quite easily regress into rudeness and aggression. You must outline what is and isn’t okay and nip transgressions in the bud. See no. 7 in this series.

Understanding your weaknesses and trying to improve them is essential, but don’t think you are ever going to be ‘fixed’. Work on yourself every day — just like you would at the gym, with your musical instrument or with that online game you’re obsessed with. You’ll have good days and bad days, and every day is a chance to make a marginal gain.

The saying goes, ‘Leaders eat last’, which I totally concur with but, more importantly in my view:

“Leaders learn first.”