The Pratfall Effect: Why Being Imperfect Makes You More Likable at Work
- Erin Hatzikostas
- 11 minutes ago
- 3 min read
I have to admit something.
I was wildly unmotivated to record a recent video.
And then I thought, “Wait… this is actually the perfect thing to talk about.”
Because that tiny little admission? That imperfect human moment? There’s actually science behind why it makes people trust and like you more.
It’s called the Pratfall Effect — and it might completely change how you think about authenticity in the workplace.
What Is the Pratfall Effect?
The pratfall effect is a psychological phenomenon that shows people are more likely to:
trust you
like you
choose you
connect with you
when you show a small imperfection or mistake.
In other words?
Being a little imperfect can actually make you more compelling.
Now, before you go lighting your résumé on fire or showing up late to every meeting yelling “I’m being authentic!” — there’s an important catch.
The pratfall effect only works when imperfection is paired with competence.
Translation:
You can’t be a nincompoop.
The Famous Psychology Experiment Behind It
Back in the 1960s, psychologist Elliot Aronson wanted to test whether flaws actually made people more likable.
So he created an experiment using college students who thought they were evaluating contestants for a quiz competition.
The contestants were split into four groups:
Group 1: Highly competent people with no mistakes.
Group 2: Highly competent people who made a small mistake — a “pratfall.” In this case, they accidentally spilled coffee on themselves during the interview.
Group 3: Less competent people with no pratfall.
Group 4: Less competent people plus the pratfall.
And the results were fascinating.
The most-liked group by far?
The competent people who spilled the coffee.
The least liked?
The incompetent people who spilled the coffee.
Which basically proves this:
If you’re smart, capable, and good at what you do, showing a little humanity makes you more relatable.
But if you’re already struggling and then add chaos on top?
Not so charming.
Why Authenticity in the Workplace Actually Works
This is exactly why authenticity in the workplace is so powerful.
People don’t connect with perfection.
They connect with humanity.
Think about the leaders, coworkers, or speakers you genuinely like. Odds are they:
admit mistakes
laugh at themselves
tell stories
acknowledge awkward moments
don’t pretend to have everything figured out
And ironically, those Humility Moments often increase credibility instead of hurting it.
Because perfection creates distance.
Imperfection creates connection.
Authentic Leadership Isn’t About Acting Flawless
One of the biggest myths in business is that leadership means always looking polished, prepared, and perfectly in control.
But authentic leadership works differently.
Authentic leaders know how to balance:
confidence with humility
competence with honesty
expertise with humanity
That’s the sweet spot.
Not:
“I’m a disaster and proud of it.”
And not:
“I am a flawless corporate robot who has never experienced fear, doubt, or coffee stains.”
The leaders people trust most are usually the ones willing to say:
“I messed that up.”
“I’m nervous too.”
“I don’t fully know yet.”
“Honestly, I almost didn’t record this video.”
Those tiny moments are what make people lean in.
How to Use the Pratfall Effect at Work
You don’t need to dramatically overshare to use this.
In fact, the best Humility Moments are often small.
Here are a few examples:
In interviews:
Share a lesson you learned from a failure instead of pretending you’ve never had one.
In presentations:
Acknowledge a mistake, funny moment, or challenge before diving into the polished content.
In leadership:
Admit when you don’t have all the answers instead of hiding behind buzzwords.
In sales:
Tell the truth about a challenge instead of acting like everything is always perfect.
People trust real.
Especially now, in a world full of AI-generated polish and perfectly curated professional personas.
Your Flaws Might Be Your Superpower
At the end of the day, the Pratfall Effect reminds us of something incredibly important:
Your flaws do not automatically weaken your credibility.
Sometimes they strengthen it.
As long as you bring competence, passion, and capability to the table, those little moments of imperfection often become the thing that makes people remember you.
So the next time you:
stumble over your words
admit you’re nervous
tell a story about messing up
spill metaphorical coffee on your shirt
don’t panic.
You might actually be becoming more likable, trustworthy, and authentic in the process.
Just remember the golden rule:
Be human.(but not a nincompoop)
Erin Hatzikostas is an internationally recognized leader on the impact of authenticity in the workplace. Learn more about her keynote speaking, workshops, and other authentic programs here.
