Admitting When You Are Wrong

It takes a humble and vulnerable leader to admit being wrong. What often inhibits you from admitting your mistakes, is a fear of looking bad, falling short of expectations, and losing your credibility. What we have to remember is, we are all on a learning journey. When you, as a leader, approach your mistakes with honesty, transparency, and a mindset of continuous improvement, your mistakes become opportunities to grow not only for you, but also for everyone on your team.

When you acknowledge being wrong and you bring a willingness to think differently going forward, you make it safe for others on the team to be transparent and vulnerable.

Today’s guided insight invites you to have the humility to admit when you are wrong and the courage to learn from it. 

0:00 - Admitting When You Are Wrong: Introduction and Importance
1:09 - The Role of Humility and Vulnerability in Leadership
1:50 - The Impact of Rigidity and Lack of Diverse Opinions
2:29 - Steps to Take After Making a Mistake
3:23 - Asking for Feedback and Moving Forward
3:59 - Guided Insight and Mindfulness Exercise
5:26 - Conclusion and Final Thoughts
5:45 - Encouragement to Reflect and Integrate

To get the most out of these learnings, download the free workbook I created that guides you deeper into each practice. https://innertelligencecoaching.com/on-your-way-in-workbook/

Transcript

SPEAKER_00 0:00

Welcome to the podcast On Your Way In, where I provide quick and actionable insights for intentional leaders. I'm your host, Sarah Harvey. Today's guided insights centers around having the humility to admit when you're wrong, the courage to learn from it, and then making the decision to choose differently going forward. As a leader, you're counted on to make good decisions. But let's admit it, no one can get it right 100% of the time. Which means you're going to be wrong from time to time. Being wrong usually doesn't feel good because it bruises the ego. Admitting you're wrong can feel even more off-putting if you're afraid you'll be seen by others as inadequate or incapable. You might worry that your team's confidence and trust in you will diminish if you outwardly admit you are wrong. But the truth is, it takes a humble and vulnerable leader to admit being wrong. So why is it important when you make a mistake to admit that you're wrong? Because as the leader, you are the gold standard upon which others look to follow. They take their cue from you as to what to value and what behaviors are expected. They look to you to know what's acceptable and what's not acceptable. Your acknowledgement of being wrong and your willingness to think differently breeds honesty, transparency, and vulnerability within the company. Your employees will say to themselves, if the leader is willing to admit when she's wrong, so can I. What usually gets you in trouble as a leader is getting too rigidly attached to defending a single point of view, your own. When you don't ask anyone what they think because you really don't want to know, you don't want your mind changed, or tell yourself, I'm right and I know it, you become myopic in your way of thinking. You narrow your lens solely on what you want to see and miss out on incorporating diverse opinions, specialized experience, and the healthy conflict that all lead to better decision making. In other words, you potentially miss out on the opportunity to make the best decision overall. When you're wrong, and you will be wrong, first six take some time on your own to review what led up to the wrong decision. Replay it in your mind's eye as if it were on a movie screen. Don't take it as an opportunity to judge yourself, but do observe what happened, who you spoke to, and how you came to the conclusions you did. Secondly, share your decision-making journey with your team so they can build the bench strength to do the same. Thirdly, own your mistake 100%. Speak it out loud, earnestly, and without sugarcoating it. I was wrong, I blew it, I made a mistake. Stop talking and let that sink in. Fourth, let everyone know here's what I learned, and this is how my thinking has changed. Here's what I'm going to do differently next time. Ask for feedback from your team. Do you see any other learnings I might adopt from this mistake? Can I have your support going forward? We can all forgive mistakes and wrongdoings. It just makes it a lot easier when you own your choices, decisions, and actions, no matter the outcome. A willingness to think differently instills hope and confidence on your team. And admitting you're wrong to others can be one of the most valuable leadership lessons you can teach your employees. Now, I'm gonna ask you to close your eyes if you're in a place where it's safe to do so. Soften your facial muscles, lengthen the back of your neck by tucking your chin just slightly. Sit up straight while dropping your shoulders down to create more comfort in your body. Uncross your legs so your feet are flat on the floor and place your hands open on your lap with your palms facing up. Now, silently begin to repeat the insight. I admit when I'm wrong and learn from it. I admit when I'm wrong and learn from it. Allow this insight to be gentle and easy, almost as if it's floating by on a cloud, just drifting by. For the next minute, let this insight be your primary thought. I admit when I'm wrong and learn from it. If at any point you notice your mind has drifted away from the insight, gently come back to it and continue repeating the insight. Allow the insight to settle into your mind and your heart. When you hear a soft chime, stop repeating the insight and be still with your eyes closed. I admit when I'm wrong and I learn from it. When you're ready, gently open your eyes. Today and every day, have the courage to admit when you're wrong. Let it be a learning opportunity for you and for others on your team. Make the choice to move forward with new thinking that minimizes mistakes and increases collaborative thinking for best outcomes. Leave your judgments, self-doubt, and your fear out in the cold. You have an important decision to make every day. Lead with the best of who you are, mistakes and all. And as always, before you go out, go in. Thanks for joining me on this episode of On Your Way In. Remember, leadership isn't something you perform, it's something you embody. The more you go inward, the more effective, present, and resilient you become. If today's guided insight was helpful, take a moment to reflect, integrate, and lead using the innate wisdom within you. You can also download the full workbook in the show notes to deepen your practice. Until next time, remember before you go out, go in.