Facing and Overcoming Tragic Flaws

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I first heard the term tragic flaw many moons ago when I was introduced to The Tragedy of Macbeth. In the play, the protagonist’s tragic flaw is his unchecked ambition, the vice that would lure, entrap, and eventually destroy him.

As human beings, our nature is often to address issues euphemistically when we are the ones under the microscope, so as my thoughts shifted to the segue that would transition this reasoning from general and impersonal to specific and personal, the thought that “tragic” may not be the right term came to mind. Now, mind you, it could be that tragic is not the best word, pure and simple. But it could also be that the former insight is true.


In any event, consider the following questions. How open are you to identifying or acknowledging flaws within your character? And if you’re open to doing the necessary introspection and being honest with yourself, are you also willing to take this process a step further and do the work to eradicate any flaw or flaws you recognize within your character?


Character flaws are so obvious when we’re on the outside zeroing in on someone else, aren’t they? Much like the omniscient narrator who sees and knows all - from thoughts to future occurrences - other people’s flaws are as conspicuous as a single flame in a pitch-black room and as annoying as a relentless mosquito singing that dreadful tune we’ve all come to know and despise. Yet, when it comes to our flaws, we tend to take some very different approaches to dealing with them: always acknowledging but with no intention of changing; acknowledging and starting the work but never seeing the work through; seeing ourselves as so innocent that it never even dawns on us that there is the slightest of possibilities that when flaws within us manifest themselves, it isn’t “naturally” someone else’s fault.


Tragic or not, character flaws can have some significant, adverse impacts on our lives. They can damage  relationships, snatch would-be opportunities from our grasp, and toy with our peace of mind. It is, therefore, a worthwhile endeavor to search ourselves, acknowledge any flaws observed, and embrace the work of becoming. Below are some tips for what that work might look like.


  1. Practice self-awareness through regular reflection of patterns of reactions in various situations.

  2. Seek feedback from accountability partners and be willing to listen without defensiveness.

  3. Exercise self-compassion as you recognize your flaws, which may open the door to genuine change.

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