Good leaders don’t need to be perfect, they need to be trustworthy

Do you feel the need to be perfect as a leader? 

Well maybe you should give yourself a break! Leadership isn’t about perfection. It’s about consistency, self-awareness, and being trustworthy.

Somewhere along the way, leadership became synonymous with flawlessness. Always being right. Never missing a beat. Setting an example that others could admire, but rarely relate to.

But the best leaders I know are not perfect. They are human. They make mistakes, ask questions, and own their learning. What sets them apart is not their ability to do it all. It is their ability to be trusted.

Because trustworthy leadership is not about being infallible. It is about being consistent, clear, and true to your values.

What people really want from their leaders

People don’t need you to be flawless. They need you to be grounded. They need to know where they stand with you, to see that your actions align with your words, and to feel safe in your presence.

That trust is not built through performance. It is built through presence. Through how you show up, listen, follow through, and take responsibility.

In my coaching work, I often hear from leaders who are stuck in a cycle of self-doubt because they believe they are “not doing it right”. But leadership is not a test you either pass or fail. It is a practice. What matters most is how you lead when things get uncomfortable.

Perfection is performative. Trust is relational.

Perfection distances people. It creates an image that can feel intimidating or unrelatable. More importantly, it is not sustainable.

Trust, on the other hand, builds connection. It creates space for collaboration, growth, and open dialogue. Trust is what allows a team to be honest with one another, to take risks, and to stay engaged, especially during change or challenge.

You don’t need to know all the answers. You need to be willing to ask the right questions and respond with integrity. That is what builds long-term leadership impact.

You get to lead as a work-in-progress

You are allowed to be learning. You are allowed to get things wrong sometimes. You are allowed to pause and course-correct.

In fact, these moments strengthen your leadership rather than weaken it. When your team sees that you are real, responsive, and accountable, trust grows. And from that foundation, stronger outcomes follow.

If you want to explore what it means to lead with integrity, consistency, and confidence without pretending to have it all figured out, I would love to support you through Next Level Leader. It is an eight-week one-to-one coaching programme designed to help you lead with clarity and courage, without the pressure to be perfect. Find out more here