In a recent LinkedIn post, Jason Feifer shares a candid personal anecdote about a high-stakes interview that took an unexpected, and ultimately beneficial, turn due to a simple human error. Feifer recounts an embarrassing moment during a video chat with a billionaire when his laptop battery died, a situation he initially feared would derail the conversation.
I was interviewing him by video chat, when my computer suddenly announced: LOW BATTERY. That’s when I realized: I forgot to plug my laptop in!
The situation, Feifer explains, escalated when he attempted to rectify the issue, only to realize he had also forgotten to plug the charging cord into his laptop. This double mishap, while initially mortifying, led Feifer to employ a strategy that he argues can strengthen connections rather than break them.
The Power of Admitting Mistakes
Feifer’s immediate reaction to his tech troubles was not to hide them, but to leverage his vulnerability. He turned to the billionaire and said, “Please tell me you’ve done something like this too.” This approach, as Feifer highlights, immediately diffused the tension and humanized the interaction.
He laughed. Absolutely, he said, and he told me a funny story. Our conversation got even better from there.
According to Feifer, this moment of shared imperfection transformed a potentially awkward professional encounter into a more genuine human connection. He points out that admitting to a mistake and inviting the other person to share in a similar experience can be a powerful tool for building rapport.
From Fear to Connection: Leaning into Imperfection
The experience prompted Feifer to reflect on his past anxieties about things going wrong during professional interactions or even in personal life, such as a child interrupting a call. He now views these moments not as threats to connection, but as opportunities to deepen them.
“Don’t be afraid of your humanness. Lean into it,” Feifer advises. He argues that these instances of vulnerability allow individuals to set aside professional roles and agendas, fostering a more authentic connection on a human level.
Even billionaires forget to plug in the laptop.
Feifer’s insights suggest that embracing our imperfections can lead to richer, more meaningful interactions. By being open about relatable human errors, professionals can break down barriers and build stronger relationships, even in high-stakes environments. He encourages readers to follow his lead by not shying away from their own humanness.
Feifer concludes by encouraging readers who found his post helpful to share it and follow him for more insights. He also directs readers to his newsletter for those looking to grow their careers with less stress.
📝 About This Content
This article is based on insights shared by Jason Feifer on LinkedIn.
📅 Originally posted on November 20, 2025 | View original post on LinkedIn →