Gift An Apology This Christmas

Leaders are often described as visionaries, chief encouragers, and “tip of the spear” type characters plucked right out of a military drama. Loud, charismatic personality that is winsome, yet firm. All of this is well and good in the correct dosage, however, many times I notice leaders chasing this persona and missing an important part of leading a team. 

When you approach your team’s “Christmas Tree” this year and place your gifts, I challenge you to allow one to be an apology. Yes, your teams need encouragement. Yes, your teams need vision and direction. But, one of the most powerful gifts to give is an apology. Admit when you are wrong. Admit when you messed up.  Own the mistakes.  I’m not talking about “fall on the sword” type of leadership. I’m talking about truly owning the moments when you made a bad decision or didn’t execute properly. 

There is a clip going around of the Miami Dolphins head coach, Mike McDaniel, where he is seen telling his quarterback, using some colorful language, that he messed up. Some people were shocked at his humility. Some praised his honesty.  Some spoke to this being the reason the Dolphins are playing so well this season.  Apologies are powerful.

This season, wrap an extra gift.  Because if everything rises and falls on leadership, you have to own the fall as much as the rise.