Very often, the burden of success oppresses our ability to address our own failures. Personal failures are very often glossed over, covered up, or avoided altogether.
How are we trained to talk about our own weaknesses?
We're supposed to find a trait that is both a strength and a weakness at the same time. This typically results in insincere, meaningless responses that fail to address the real issues.
"I focus too hard on doing a good job, that sometimes I neglect the importance of personal relationships."In short, the current environment typically compels us to cover-up our own mistakes, with a it-was-not-my-fault attitude placing the blame on various externalities.
"I focus too much on the details that I sometimes miss the big picture."
"I focus too much on achieving the overall strategy, that I neglect the details."
To improve, we need each individual to take ownership of their own failures, and to teach others how to avoid similar errors. We need to inculcate a society that accepts individuals for their failings, and not try to find that "perfect" individual.
Let's face it, nobody is perfect. Be afraid of those who pretend to be.