Go on! Just admit that something is wrong already.

I’m sure, in their professional careers, there was a moment for “visionaries” such as Sam Bankman-Fried or Elizabeth Holmes or perhaps even Elon Musk and his constant vapourware promises, where if they just put aside their personal or corporate egos (and in some cases greed) and admitted that they have a problem, they could have caught their issues in time before escalating out of control. I believe none of them set-out on their journey to ruin their businesses or in Sam and Elizabeth’s cases, defraud investors. If at a particular time these oddly “charismatic” leaders had stopped themselves and their team, they may have turned their businesses into something truly sustainable. Alas, these types of ‘pied pipers’ seem to love doubling down, surfing on their own distorted waves of ‘fake it tell you make it’.

Anyway, my point is just imagine for a second you walking into a room full of your esteemed colleagues, investors and ‘die-hard fans’ and saying, "Guess what? We've got problems!" It sounds like the start of a bad joke, but in reality, this act of admitting imperfection is the unsung hero in the story of business improvement. We often picture leaders as unwavering champions of their flawless strategies, yet the truth is, the most significant strides in business come from acknowledging the not-so-perfect aspects. See it, say it, own it! It’s your mess and if you can’t acknowledge it in time then why would most that follow you ever bother?

In the world of business, admitting that there's a gap between where we are and where we want to be can feel like saying you forgot to wear pants to an important meeting – awkward but crucially important. It's about looking at your strategic goals and realising they’re more like distant cousins than twins to your actual results. There's this interesting dance we do in business, often tiptoeing around the fact that our perfect plans sometimes lead to less-than-perfect outcomes.

Then there's the age-old business anthem: "We've always done it this way." This phrase is like that one hit wonder song from the 80s that everyone is tired of hearing but still plays on every corporate playlist. Breaking free from this mindset requires a small step into the dark, a giant leap into the abyss, or maybe less dramatically, a whole lot of “let’s try something new.” It's about top management putting on their metaphorical detective hats and looking for clues that point to where things could be better.

There's an undeniable strength in vulnerability, especially in the boardroom. It's like saying, “Yes, I did eat the last donut, and I’m not proud of it.” Admitting flaws is not about self-hatred; or showing other people that you are weak, it’s about opening doors to improvement and innovation. It encourages everyone, from the intern to the CEO, to chime in with their insights, creating a culture of honesty and openness, performing an orchestra of ideas in harmony that can lead to real change.

So, what do you do after you've stood up and declared that all is not perfect in your kingdom? You roll up your sleeves and get to work. It's about transforming that awkward room admission into a robust plan of action. Set goals, make changes, and maybe, just maybe, turn those distant cousins of goals and results into siblings, or at least close friends.

The journey to business improvement is not paved with perfection but with the courage to admit imperfections. It's about turning “oops” into opportunities and “uh-ohs” into innovations. So, the next time you find a gap in your business strategy, remember it's the starting line of your race towards improvement. And who knows, you might just cross the finish line with a little more wisdom, a better strategy, and hopefully, with more than just your pants on.