Tips for high performance leadership and teamwork: When leaders make mistakes – the power of vulnerability
- mikemason100
- Aug 11
- 3 min read
Across my flying career, the leaders I’ve respected most were the ones who, after a tough mission, stood before their peers and began the debrief by owning their own mistakes. In that simple act, they created a powerful ripple – unlocking permission for everyone else to speak openly, to learn, and to grow together. It’s hard to overstate how transformative that kind of courage can be for a team.
Why vulnerability isn’t a weakness
Elite teams function under pressure not because leaders are infallible, but because they model wisdom by owning their human side. Military doctrine emphasises humility: leaders who acknowledge their limitations become more resilient and trustworthy.
Research confirms it. Leaders who show vulnerability build deeper empathy, stronger trust, and psychological safety, unlocking creativity and commitment across their team. Vulnerable leadership isn’t self-indulgent – it’s strategic.
The upsides of admitting mistakes
Builds trust and psychological safety. When you admit a mistake, you signal that it's safe to be human. The groundbreaking findings from Google's Project Aristotle show psychological safety is the number one predictor of team performance. Vulnerable leadership is its lifeblood.
Boosts resilience and innovation. Leaders who are open about uncertainty invite learning, not hiding. Teams become more adaptable and innovative when failure isn’t treated as fatal, it’s treated as feedback.
Creates authentic connections. People connect with real leaders, not robots. Research shows that human, flawed transparency increases engagement and loyalty – especially when leaders show they’re relatable.
Encourages collective wisdom. Admitting you don’t know it all opens the team’s collective intelligence. When leaders ask for input and model openness, collaborative problem-solving skyrockets.
Leadership lessons from the cockpit
In fighter squadrons, admitting error isn’t a dismissal, it’s encouraged. Debriefs hinge on identifying what went wrong, and how to fix it. When the CO admits miscalculation, the whole unit recalibrates faster and more faithfully. It humanises leaders and accelerates learning without crushing morale.
Timing matters
Vulnerability is powerful but context is critical. A recent article noted that emotional expression before delivering bad news can build trust however mis-timed displays risk appearing performative or manipulative. Choosing when and how to be vulnerable is part of leadership craft.
Practical strategies for authentic vulnerable leadership
Model smart vulnerability. Share lessons, not just emotions. Acknowledge missteps, explain the reasoning, and move forward. It’s not confession, it’s teaching.
Create rituals of honesty. Start meetings with “Where did we miss the mark?” Debriefs framed around lessons – not blame – forge a feedback culture grounded in respect.
Ask for help. Saying “I don’t know” and following with “help me think this through” unbinds perfection and builds collaboration.
Own your imperfect path. Vulnerability done well is honest, consistent, and bounded. It’s not oversharing, it’s being human with purpose.
On Target Tip
After your next misfire (big or small) say, “I dropped the ball on this. Here’s what I learned—and what we’ll do differently.” Nothing is more powerful than vulnerability spoken with accountability.
Why vulnerability matters today for high performance
In environments bursting with complexity – hybrid teams, rapid change, remote work – the myth of the perfect leader implodes fast. Only leaders who admit uncertainty and invite feedback sustain trust and performance. Cultural transformation isn’t about showing supremacy, it’s about revealing strength through humility.
Final Thoughts
Leaders who never err – or pretend they don’t – shut down learning. On the other hand, leaders who lean in, admit missteps, and re-engage, build high-trust teams that solve problems faster, adapt better, and grow stronger, quicker.
At On Target, we help teams build leadership practices that blend clarity, courage, and humanity. Because true strength isn't never breaking—it’s choosing to rebuild, together.
Ready to transform your team’s leadership culture through real, practised vulnerability? Visit www.ontargetteaming.com to discover how we help embed leadership that thrives under pressure.
If you found this blog valuable, you might enjoy our post on Just Culture. Check out our Top Tips on building it within your team.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mike Mason and Sam Gladman are the co-founders of On Target, a leadership and team development company that brings elite fighter pilot expertise into the corporate world. With decades of combined experience in high-performance aviation, they specialise in translating critical skills such as communication, decision-making, and teamwork into practical tools for business. Through immersive training and cutting-edge simulation, Mike and Sam help teams build trust, improve performance, and thrive under pressure – just like the best flight crews in the world.
Comments