Michele Lefler - Embracing Imperfection as a Business Superpower: How Owning Your Flaws Can Help You Stand Out and Succeed

00:01  Welcome everyone, and thank you for being here today we're going to talk about something that goes against what most of us have been taught in business, the idea that we need to be perfect to succeed. Because here's the truth. Perfection is an illusion, and the more we chase it, the more we disconnect from the very people we're trying to reach. So let's talk about why embracing imperfection is actually your biggest business superpower. But before we get started, let me tell you a little bit about myself.    

00:42  I'm Michelle Lefler, your personal librarian. And yes, I'm actually a librarian with a master's degree in library and information science and my undergrad degree is in history now. I work with individuals and entrepreneurs to create aligned intentional lives and businesses. I also work with libraries and nonprofits to create aligned intentional organizations that thrive. I'm also a trained shamanic practitioner and I practice Southern and Appalachian folk magic as well as Jewish folk magic. I'm a Capricorn Sun, Libra Moon, and Aquarius rising, and when I'm not working or reading, you can find me at a museum or on the beach online you can find me on my website, michellelefler.com Now before we dive in, let me give you a quick overview of what we'll cover today.    

01:44  By the end of this talk, you'll walk away with an understanding of why perfection is holding you back. How I personally turned my imperfections into strengths. A simple framework to embrace authenticity in your branding and marketing. Actionable steps to help you stand out by being real, not perfect. So if you've ever felt like you had to hide parts of yourself to be taken seriously, this talk is for you.    

02:16  Now, as entrepreneurs, we've been conditioned to believe that success comes from looking a certain way. Flawless branding picture, perfect messaging, and a carefully curated persona that never shows cracks. You know, Pinterest worthy perfection, Instagram worthy, news feed reels that are perfectly polished and everything is on point. We're told that in order to be taken seriously, we have to project that image of perfection always polished and always in control. But that's toxic and it's not real and it leads to burnout because it's not who we really are. It's not possible to be that way all the time.    

03:08  And that creates disconnect. It creates pressure, it leads to burnout, it leads to imposter syndrome, and we end up with a constant fear of messing up. That idea of perfection builds walls instead of building bridges, and it makes us feel disconnected from the actual people we're trying to reach. In reality, people don't trust perfection. They might like to look at it, but they don't trust it. People trust realness. They want to work with someone who understands them, who gets their struggles, who has been where they are.    

03:56  If you always pursue an image of perfection in your business, then people can't relate to that in their real life because that's not how their real life is. And they see your image, your myth of perfection, and it creates a divide between who they are and who you're projecting yourself to be. And they may want to aspire to that, but they're not going to connect with that. If someone is trying to find someone to work with for whatever topic, they want to know that they're working with someone who has been where they are.    

04:38  And if you're not showing them your real self, then they can't see them in you. The more human you allow yourself to be, flaws, quirks and all, the more your audience will connect with you. And connection is what leads to loyalty, impact, and ultimately success. Now I want to share a little bit about my own journey with this because I've lived the struggle of trying to appear put together at all costs. I'm a widow. Well, now I'm remarried, but I've been a widow and a young one too i was 31 when I became a widow. I've experienced deep loss and trauma from that and from a lot of other things in my early life that shaped me in ways I never expected.    

05:37  And for a long time I believed I had to keep those parts of myself hidden to be taken seriously in business. I couldn't see myself as a widow being taken seriously. I couldn't see myself as a survivor of childhood trauma being successful in business because the people that I saw who were successful in business didn't appear to have lived a life similar to mine. So I thought that in order to be professional, I had to be perfect and this was in the the corporate world, the nonprofit world, any world that I tried to aspire to be part of.    

06:25  I thought I had to be perfect in order to be professional in that world. I thought that if I let people see the cracks in who I am because they're there, that they would question my credibility or doubt my ability to lead. So I worked hard to present a polished version of myself. You know that version i thought people wanted to see that social media perfection image. And I never got it i was never satisfied with it. And I never could attain that perfection because I am not perfect i'm not a perfect person. So I never could get there.    

07:10  And even though I tried to be that polished version of myself, it wasn't who I was is I thought that it was a strong way to be and that I had to be that way even when I didn't feel that way, even when I didn't feel strong, I felt like I had to be. But the truth is, the moment I stopped pretending and started showing up as my whole self, warts and all, so to speak, everything shifted. When I shared my real story with my audience, When I told them about my struggles, when I told them about the trauma I've endured, when I told them about the things I've overcome and my resilience, when I became honest with who I am and express my truth, something incredible happened.    

08:03  People didn't turn away. Some did but that's OK there's that's always going to happen, but most people leaned in, They saw themselves in my journey, even if they weren't experiencing the same things that I've experienced they saw authenticity in my journey and they connected with me in a way that they never had before. And that connection transformed everything. Since then, my business grew in ways that I couldn't think of as possible, that I couldn't see as possible. Not because I had the perfect strategy or branding, because, let's just be honest, I still don't.    

08:48  But because I was finally being me. My community depends on being real, and when I'm real and I allow my community to be real, it gets deeper and the people who resonate with my story become loyal supporters and I feel aligned with my work in a way I never had before. So I'm building something that's not just the business here. I'm creating a meaningful, real, authentic community.    

09:29  So why does embracing imperfection actually help your business instead of hurting it? Authenticity builds trust. People don't connect with perfection, they connect with realness. When you try to present a flawless version of yourself, it can actually create distance between you and your audience i mentioned this already, but I'm reiterating it here because it's so important. When you're open about your challenges, your lessons, and even your mistakes, people feel like they know you.    

10:06  And trust is the foundation of any successful business relationship. Relatability creates loyalty. We're naturally drawn to people who reflect something of ourselves. When your audience sees their own struggles, dreams, or journey mirror than yours, they feel a deeper connection. They don't just follow you, they root for you. And that emotional connection turns casual followers into loyal, engaged supporters who stick around for the long haul. Flaws differentiate you. Think about it. Perfection is forgettable. If everyone in your industry looks, sounds and markets in a perfect Stepford Wife manner, then that's boring it doesn't stand out. It's just a carbon copy, one right after the other.    

11:05  So you don't stand out. Your quirks, your story, your unique way of seeing the world, that's what makes you memorable. The things you once thought made you less professional are often the very things that set you apart from the crowd. Your imperfections aren't weaknesses, they're your competitive advantage. They make you human, they make you relatable, and they make you you. And in a world full of curated perfection, being real is the most powerful thing that you can do. So how exactly can you embrace imperfection in your business? Here's a simple framework to get started. First, you're going to identify your story.    

12:01  Take a moment to reflect on the challenges, the struggles, the pivotal moments that have shaped you. Those messy, uncomfortable and vulnerable experiences. We all have them. We don't like to think about them because a lot of times they bring us thoughts of shame, of not being good enough they may make us wonder what we're doing, that we don't really belong, that we can't really do this. But you should own those things, those ideas, those moments. Own them. They make you relatable and they make you human, and they set the foundation for a brand that's grounded in authenticity. Next, you're going to embrace the messy middle. Don't just showcase the polished end result.    

12:58  Share the journey. Share the UPS, share the downs. Share everything in between people connect with the process, they connect with the imperfect path that leads to growth. It's where the real stories happen and where your audience will see that you're not just an expert, but a work in progress just like them. I don't have it on here, but I'm going to throw it in here right now because it just popped into my mind.    

13:30  Embrace the attitude that done is better than perfect when it comes to your work. Like for instance, this presentation i am recording this all in one go. I am not doing multiple takes of this because having it recorded and done is better than not having it done at all, which is what's going to end up happening. If I try to make perfect slides or try to make perfect recordings and get the best one, it's never going to get done and then I'll get to the deadline and I won't have it done so I'm just doing it at one time, 1 evening, doing it all in one shot.    

14:09  If you go to my website and look at it is by no means perfect, but it's done. I have a website, my website functions. It does what I want it to do. You can get anything you want from me on my website, or if not, there are ways to contact me listed on my website. It's done. It's better than perfect because if I were trying to have a perfect website, it would never be done. So no, I didn't have that here in this slide, but I wanted to put it in because it kind of goes in with embracing the messy middle and I just thought about that when I was talking about embracing the messy middle so I wanted to throw that in there too.    

14:53  And that's another thing you can hear me getting breathless as I'm rushing to put things in here last minute that I hadn't even planned on and laughing about it as I'm recording but that's OK, it's done it's better than perfect. And I think it just makes my presentation that much more authentic because it relates who I am and what I'm talking about here. So 3. Connect through storytelling. Let your audience see the behind the scenes of your business, not just the finished product. Share the wins and the setbacks. Show them the raw, unfiltered reality of your journey. Show them your real life, the parts of it that you're comfortable sharing.    

15:41  Show them the realness of being an entrepreneur because let's face it, being an entrepreneur is a lot of work. And there's a lot of ugly, behind the scenes things that we kind of try to sweep under the rug that we don't want people to see. But share that let them see it. The more your audience sees your struggles and triumphs, the more they're going to relate to you and the more that they will trust you. Flip the narrative is number four.    

16:11  Shift your perspectives on what imperfect really means rather than there you go, there's another imperfect thing. Rather than viewing your flaws, mistakes, or failures as weaknesses, start highlighting them as your strengths. See, you can relate to me because I'm a real person. I can't get through this perfectly and I'm not trying to get through this perfectly i'm trying to tell you the getting it done imperfectly is so much better than not getting it done at all so yeah, you get me stumbling over my words you get me throwing things in that weren't on the slides whatever.    

16:52  It all goes together and that's just that's my strength because I'm being real here and I'm relating to you in real life what this is like for me being an entrepreneur. So these imperfections set you apart. They make you real. They give you credibility. They show that you've been through life, that you've lived a life, and that you've come out stronger on the other side. And number five market with authenticity. Infuse your personal story into your branding and messaging. Don't hide behind generic slogans or over polished content because nobody cares. Be true to who you are and let that shine through everything you put out into the world, whether that's social media posts, whether it's your website, whether it's your email, newsletters or one day, if it's you being a in a summit and you're recording a presentation, just go with the flow and let it be what it'll be because it'll be better than not having it done at all.    

18:02  So let's break this down into a few practical steps and things that you can do to let your authenticity shine and get off the perfection bus. Instead of perfectly curated posts, share real moments behind the scenes. People want to see the real you, not just the highlight reel. Show the behind the scenes work, the hustle, the setbacks and the little wins. You know when you're watching a movie and it gets to the end? And this is if, well, they do it on streaming now too but I'm thinking, and I may be dating myself here with this, but used to when I was younger and I would actually go to the movie theater and watch a movie and the credits would roll and people would get up and leave i would stay to see if there was a blooper reel afterwards because that was often funnier than the actual movie itself.    

18:59  So share the blooper reel of your life and of your business with your audience. Let them into your world so they can connect with you on a personal level. It's OK if things aren't always perfect. When they're not perfect, it's authentic and that draws your audience in. Instead of writing robotic emails, talk like a human. Now I am 1 to embrace fast tracking things and I will use templates and I will use AI to make things easier for me. But please, for the love of all that is holy, edit it. If you're going to use it, edit it so that it sounds like you and not like 1A robot or two like everybody else.    

19:53  Make it sound like a human, first of all, and make it sound like you. You want to have things sound like you're having a cup of coffee with a friend. Skip the formal. Skip the stiff language. Right, the way you naturally speak to people or Polish up a little bit if you aren't comfortable because I'm older, this is a thing. I'm not that old, but this is the thing that I learned in school was slang, jargony, writing, whatever we had to have some level of professionalism in it and it's difficult for me to write like I talk because that's been worked out of me in academic settings.    

20:39  And so I struggle sometimes to bring that in when I'm writing to sound like I'm actually talking. You will never get an email from me that sounds like I'm talking like I'm talking right now to you because this I'm actually talking. And when I'm writing an email that's not so my emails won't sound stiff and formal, but they don't also sound like the way I sound right now. But the closer I get my emails to sounding like the way I sound now, minus the accent, because you don't get the accent in an email either. So let's just be real there. But the closer I get my emails to sound like I'm talking, the more engagement I get from my audience so try to make it sound like you're chatting with a friend over coffee.    

21:30  Be relaxed in your writing. Just make it be real and reflect who you are. It'll be more personal, it'll be more engaging, it will be more relatable. Now instead of trying to fit into a professional mold and you can't see what I'm doing right now, putting air quotes around professional.    

21:54  Fit your own unique voice and story. Don't try to conform to what others say is professional because this is your business. You can be whatever you want to be. You don't need to sound like everybody else to be taken seriously. Embrace your quirks. It's your unique perspective that we want to hear. It's your personal journey that we want to hear. It's your authenticity that makes you sound that stand out in a crowded marketplace.    

22:26  So instead of all that, share real moments. Write how you talk, Be yourself, don't over curate things, don't be overly polished. People are tired of stage content, so the real you, don't be stiff, don't be formal, don't be robotic, don't be cookie cutter. Be you. Your imperfections, your unique quirks, your authentic self are what makes you memorable, and that is your superpower. That is what will get people to not just be people that buy from you occasionally, but who become loyal fans of you and your business.    

23:15  Now, if there's one thing I want you to take away from this today, let it be this. You don't need to be perfect to succeed. Perfection is a myth. It often is what holds people back from taking action. The flaws, the mistakes, and the growth that you make are your journey and that's what makes you relatable and what makes you inspiring. Success doesn't come from having everything figured out. It comes from showing up, from being consistent, whatever consistent means for you because you don't have to be perfect in in that department either.    

24:03  It comes from being authentic. Success comes from being authentic and embracing who you are and learning along the way. Your story, however that is, whatever that is, is your superpower, your experiences, your challenges, and your unique path that you've walked or what set you apart. No one else has ever lived your life or faced your exact struggles and come out on the other side the exact same way that you have. And that story is your biggest asset.    

24:46  It's what creates emotional connection, builds trust, and draws people to you. Don't be afraid to share it because it's the very thing that makes your brand magnetic. The right people will connect with the real you. There's an audience out there who is waiting to hear your story, to see your true self. When you embrace your imperfections and show up authentically, you attract people who vibe with your message. These are the people who will support you, who will root for you, and who will buy from you.    

25:21  Trying to be something that you're not will only keep you from connecting with the people who matter. Imperfection isn't something to hide, it's something to celebrate. It's your humanity, it's what makes you real, and it's what draws people in. When you embrace your imperfections, you give others permission to do the same. And that's where the magic happens. When you show up as your true, imperfect self, you not only build a business, you create a community of people who resonate with you on a deeper level.    

25:54  And now, more than ever, we need community. So embrace the mess, celebrate the imperfections, and know that you are more than enough, just as you are. That's where the true power lies. Now, if you loved everything that I covered today and you're excited to take your next step, then Breaking Up with Toxic Positivity is for you. You'll discover how to embrace your full emotional range and connect more authentically with yourself and others in just nine days. And I'm thrilled to contribute to the Swag Bag with my E book express, where you'll learn how to quickly create and share your knowledge with the world at lightning speed. This is perfect for anyone looking to turn their expertise into digital products that make an impact fast while ditching the impulse for perfection.    

26:56  And if you're going for the VIP Pass, you're in for an exclusive treat with my course, Shamanic Leadership for Business. Traditional leadership methods often leave us feeling disconnected or stuck. But shamanic leadership offers a transformative approach that connects you deeply to your purpose, aligns your actions with your soul's calling in Foster's true community impact and innovation. If you're ready to lead from a place of depth and vision, this session will take you there.    

27:29  Thank you for being here today.