Permission to Be Human: What Your Team Needs More Than Perfection
I once sat through a 90-minute Zoom meeting needing a bathroom break so badly I couldn’t focus. Not because there weren’t pauses. Not because I couldn’t excuse myself. But because I didn’t want to look unprofessional.
I chose bladder discomfort over being human.
And I’m not alone.
We’ve all done it, muted our real needs, physical or emotional, in the name of appearing “together.” We’ve ignored discomfort. Suppressed tears. Laughed less. Nodded more. Said “I’m fine” when we weren’t.
All because somewhere along the line, many of us learned this message: Professionalism means perfection.
But here’s the problem: the more “professional” we try to look, the less approachable, relatable, and trusted we actually become.
In a world craving realness, vulnerability isn’t a liability, it’s a leadership strategy.
Why We’re Afraid to Be Seen As Human
Corporate culture has long rewarded composure over connection. We admire leaders who never flinch, never fumble, and always have a plan.
But here’s what people really want from the people they work with and for:
Honesty
Humor
Humanity
They want to know they’re not the only one struggling, forgetting things, or laughing nervously before a tough conversation.
In fact, research shows that we trust leaders more when they’re willing to be vulnerable, to say “I don’t know,” “I made a mistake,” or “This is hard for me too.”
We’re not asking for messiness. We’re asking for truth.
And the truth is, everyone’s juggling something.
The Myth of Polished Leadership
Perfection creates distance. Humanness creates connection.
Think about it: Which leader do you respect more?
The one who talks in polished bullet points but never looks uncertain?
Or the one who can pause mid-meeting to say, “That’s a great question, I don’t have the perfect answer yet, but let’s work through it together”?
The second one, right?
Because that’s the leader you’d want to work beside when the pressure’s on.
Humor Isn’t Unprofessional, It’s Disarming
If you’ve ever laughed in a meeting and felt the energy shift, you know the power of humor.
A well-timed joke, a moment of shared awkwardness, or just someone laughing at themselves for fumbling a screen share can make people breathe again.
Humor isn’t a distraction from work. It’s a reminder we’re all still people. It helps people lower their defenses, think more clearly, and connect more deeply.
And when leaders model humor, it sends a powerful message:
“You don’t have to be perfect here. Just let yourself be human.”
This doesn’t mean performative positivity or forced team-building games. It means laughing with, not at. Smiling through tension. Letting the moment be what it is, even if it’s a little awkward.
Micro-Moments That Build Human-First Culture
Culture isn’t shaped by grand gestures. It’s built in the tiny, everyday signals that say: “You can be real here.”
Here are a few of those micro-moments:
Saying “I forgot” without shame
Asking for a moment to collect your thoughts
Acknowledging a hard day without over-explaining
Admitting you’re overwhelmed instead of powering through
Sending a follow-up to say, “Hey, I realized I wasn’t as clear as I meant to be”
Each of these is a moment of connection. An invitation. A reminder that we don’t lose professionalism by being human, we earn trust.
People Don’t Need Perfect Leaders, They Need Human Ones
The moments that build loyalty and trust aren’t always the ones in the spotlight.
They’re often quiet, private, unscripted.
The manager who says, “I noticed something feels off. Want to talk about it?”
The CEO who says, “I’m learning as we go.”
The colleague who admits, “I had a hard time focusing this week too.”
These are the moments people remember, not because they were dramatic, but because they were real.
When you give yourself permission to be human, you offer that same permission to others.
That’s where trust grows. That’s where performance strengthens. That’s where culture shifts, from performative to personal, from polished to possible.
The Real ROI of Leading Like a Human
Human-first leadership doesn’t mean abandoning standards or avoiding accountability. It means modeling resilience, not through perfection, but through presence.
And the ROI?
Better communication
Higher retention
More innovative, collaborative teams
A workplace where people don’t just stay, they want to show up fully
Try Being 5% More Human This Week
You don’t need to make a grand declaration.
Start small:
Let someone see your learning process
Say “I don’t know” without apology
Laugh at yourself
Ask how someone’s really doing
Normalize needing a break, even for the bathroom
Because the more we show up honestly, the more others feel safe to do the same.
And that’s how better leadership, and better workplaces, begin.
Call to Action
If this resonated with you:
🟡 Share this article with a colleague or team leader who needs to hear that being human is not only allowed, it’s powerful.
🟡 Visit lifechangesmag.com for more human-first insights on navigating leadership, life changes, and creating culture that actually works for people.
This article was written by Deena Kordt and featured in her ‘Human First’ LinkedIn Newsletter.
📖 You can subscribe here.
Meet the Author - Deena Kordt
Deena Kordt, publisher of Life Changes & Divorce Magazine Canada, host of the Life Changes Channel podcast, is also an author & speaker from Southern Saskatchewan with a passion for inspiring personal growth and community support. Growing up on a farm and ranch, she developed strong small-town values and a deep sense of community. Deena has had a diverse career, including roles as a nurse, librarian, and reiki master, but her most cherished role is as a mother.
Deena's books, podcast, magazines, blog and presentations aim to help individuals reconnect with their inner strength and joy, encouraging them to embrace life with courage and resilience. She has overcome significant personal challenges, including the loss of two brothers and living in an abusive situation, which has fueled her mission to support others on their healing journeys.
Known for her adventurous spirit and rock 'n roll heart, Deena believes in the power of a supportive community of women. She invites you to join her in exploring life with curiosity and courage.
Awards and Recognition:
2023 Womanition Trail Blazer Award Nominee
2024 Soroptimist International Ruby Award Winner
2025 IOFP Top Women’s Leadership Coach & Publisher of the Year
Deena has been featured on several podcasts and magazines, co-hosts the “Shift Happens Show” and is working on her memoir.
Note: The author, compiler and publisher do not assume and hereby disclaim any liability to any party due to these words coming from the author’s own opinion based on their experiences. This account is based on the author’s own personal experience. We assume no responsibility for errors or omissions in these articles.
