Dear Imperfect Leader,

Everyone in this world is a leader. Someone looks up to you and learns from you. I want you to know it's okay to question yourself. The good news is that everyone questions themselves. Its okay to make mistakes and to live a messy life. No one is perfect. Every leader leads by example. A leader or any future leader needs inspiration; they need to be empowered.

An authentic leader knows they will make mistakes or do things incorrectly. It is genuine and real. To be authentic in this world is hard for people. The constant fear of judgment and failure scares the hell out of people. My one piece of advice for you is to go for it. Strive for excellence without being too critical of yourself. If you want to lead, it is okay to lead imperfectly.

Throughout life, you will experience roadblocks that seem impossible to overcome. Resilience is an uphill battle that you need to fight. Never give up on yourself or your ability to be a leader. Everyone struggles, everyone gets knocked down, and the only thing that truly matters in your battle is how gracefully you picking yourself up and brush yourself off. Surround yourself with empowering people that are willing to guide you through your journey in conquering obstacles.

Confidence is key to succeed as a leader. Apprentices want to know their mentor has poise and a sense of fearlessness. When it comes to confidence, it is earned. It comes from making positive, ethical decisions every day. You shape yourself, your work, and your future from these decisions. Have courage in your ability to lead. Never be afraid to ask questions or seek advice when you don't know what to do. Courage comes from a million courageous decisions made in the past.

Leading imperfectly means you're getting outside of your comfort zone. You're challenging yourself even though you may be unsure of the situation at hand. Build trust, let people know you are there to listen and that you truly care about your company. Involve your employees and your apprentices in the decision making process because it shows them their input has value.

Be kind and be fair when you lead. Foster trust and cooperation in the work environment. It is important that you find ways to energize and motivate your employees. Provide confidence for them to strive and feel appreciated. Establish a clear vision and then guide your team towards success by empowering them and advising them to greatness. Imperfect leaders create a work environment that promotes growth and success.

From,

An Imperfect Leader