April 20, 2026

The ONE THING That Makes Unbelievably Great Leaders: Being Imperfect

The ONE THING That Makes Unbelievably Great Leaders: Being Imperfect

In the discussion of leadership, we often hear about the importance of perfection, flawless decision-making, and unwavering confidence.

However, the reality is that truly great leaders are far from perfect.

In fact, their imperfections are often what make them exceptional.

Today, we’re exploring the sixth instalment in our series on “ONE THING To Be An Unbelievably Great Leader” – ImPERFect.

Contrary to what many leadership textbooks might suggest, unbelievably great leaders are flawed, imperfect individuals with dirty hands and often painful experiences.

They make mistakes, they fail, and they struggle

But it’s precisely these qualities that make them effective in the real world of business.

The business landscape is inherently imperfect. Markets are unpredictable, formulas often fall short, and change is the only constant.

In this environment, leaders who embrace their imperfections are best equipped to navigate the chaos and uncertainty.
They understand that perfection is not only impossible but also counterproductive.

These imperfect leaders possess a unique quality – the “imperfect gene”. This characteristic allows them to relate to the messy reality of business and life.

They don’t expect perfection from themselves or their teams because they know it’s an unrealistic goal. Instead, they focus on action, learning, and continuous improvement.

The magic of imperfection lies in its ability to drive action.

Imperfect leaders aren’t paralyzed by the fear of making mistakes.
They understand that in a rapidly changing world, taking imperfect action and adjusting course is far more valuable than endlessly seeking the perfect solution.

They encourage their teams to try, fail, learn, and repeat — creating a culture of innovation and resilience.

Authenticity is another powerful attribute of imperfect leaders.
By acknowledging their flaws and vulnerabilities, they become more relatable and trustworthy.

This authenticity attracts followers who appreciate genuine leadership over polished facades.

Employees are more likely to connect with and support a leader who shows their human side.

Organizations that embrace imperfect leaders often reap significant rewards. These leaders, with their deep understanding of real-world complexities, can deliver extraordinary results.

They’re in tune with the market’s pulse and can make decisions that resonate with customers and employees alike.

In a world increasingly dominated by technology, imperfect leaders bring a much-needed human touch to organizations

It’s time for a paradigm shift in how we teach and perceive leadership.
While academic institutions often focus on theoretical models of perfect leadership, the business world needs leaders who can thrive in imperfection.

Imagine a course called “Imperfect Leaders 101” that teaches aspiring leaders to embrace their flaws, learn from failures, and lead with authenticity.

My personal experience as an imperfect leader who grew a business startup to A BILLION IN SALES is a testament to the power of embracing imperfection.

Stories like mine should inform and influence business school curricula, providing students with real-world insights rather than unattainable ideals.

The path to becoming an unbelievably great leader isn’t about achieving perfection.
It’s about embracing imperfection, taking action in the face of uncertainty, and leading with authenticity.

By acknowledging and leveraging their flaws, leaders can create resilient, innovative, and high-performing organizations that are better equipped to tackle the challenges of our imperfect world.

So let’s celebrate the imperfect leaders who dare to be real, make mistakes, learn continuously, and inspire others to do the same.

In their imperfection lies their true strength and the key to extraordinary leadership.

Ready to escape the echo chamber of tired business theories and academic jargon? Subscribe now and get the same weekly, battle-tested strategies used by a leader who scaled a company to over $1B in annual sales.
This isn’t just theory—this is what actually works.

Posts in the ONE THING Leadership Series:
#1. Simple
#2. Serving
#3. DiFFERENT
#4. Disruptor
#5. Translator
#6. ImPERFect

Cheers,
Roy
My Podcast Show Audacious Moves to A BILLION shares the specific Moves I made to achieve jaw-dropping growth in an insanely competitive internet business.

”The Audacious Unheard of Ways I Took a Startup to A BILLION IN SALES” is the latest in my BE DiFFERENT or be dead Book Series.

• Posted 4.20.26 at 06:00 am by Roy Osing
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