Pratfall effect

Yeah.

This brings me to one of my favorite effects, human biases, called the pratfall effect, where-

Ooh, I haven't heard that one.

Nice

Competent plus flawed beat competent plus flawless.

And psychologists call this the pratfall effect.

But, and this matters, the effect only works if you've already established competence.

A mediocre contestant who spilled coffee became less likable.

It's the belief that you won't be punished for making a mistake, but you cannot demand psychological safety from your team if you, as the leader, are wearing a mask of perfection.

There is a psychological phenomenon known as the Pratfall Effect.

This research shows that highly competent people actually become more likable and more trustworthy when they make a mistake or show vulnerability.

We don't trust perfection in humans.