“If you want to grow, you need to get over any fear you may have of making mistakes,” writes John Maxwell. One aspect of leadership that holds people back is the fear of making mistakes. Being in a leadership position places a significant spotlight on the leader. Unfortunately, when leaders do something outstanding or guide change, they’re rarely praised or celebrated in those situations; however, when those same leaders make a mistake, they’re often criticized heavily for them. As a leader, it’s important to recognize the mistake, reflect on why, and adjust for the future.
- Acknowledge the Mistake: This is the moment when leaders should recognize they made a mistake and take accountability for it. A leader might say something like the following: “I made a mistake, and I’m sorry. I’ll do the best I can to make this right and avoid making the same mistake again. Please hold me accountable to that.”
- Reflect on the Mistake: The next step is to reflect on the mistake, but also receive feedback from trusted people. A discussion with a mentor or coach may help process how or why the mistake happened. The leader can use the following questions for reflections: “Why did this mistake happen? How could I have handled it differently? What were my initial intentions and why didn’t I get the result I wanted?”
- Adjust for the Future: The final step is to develop a plan on how to avoid making the same mistake again. It can be beneficial to communicate that plan to stakeholders. The leader may do something like the following: “In order to avoid the same mistake again, I plan on doing _____. This action will allow for a better outcome and result the next time around. Please hold me accountable to following this plan. Thank you!”
Making mistakes in leadership is unavoidable. The leaders who sustain their careers acknowledge the mistake, reflect on it, and adjust for the future. They also avoid dwelling on the mistake for too long as it creates more stress than necessary.
What is your process for handling mistakes while in a leadership position?