Why does spilling your coffee make a sharp person more likeable?
The expert who fumbles their notes feels more human than the one who never slips.
When someone is already seen as highly competent, a small visible blunder makes them more likeable, not less. The slip humanizes them and closes the gap that made them feel distant or intimidating. The catch: the same blunder makes an average performer look worse, so it only works if you have already shown you are good.
A senior colleague nails the big presentation, then knocks over their water and laughs it off - the room warms to them instantly, far more than if they had been flawless.
Once your competence is clear, a small honest slip makes you more relatable, not weaker.
Stop hiding every tiny mistake. After you have shown you are capable, owning a small slip builds warmth instead of breaking trust.
Pratfall = prove you are good first, then the stumble makes you human.
Learn the idea and practice English at the same time.