Recognizing and admitting your mistakes strengthen your ability to lead. To err is human, and is therefore a necessary part of being an engaging, credible leader. Those who deny, gloss over, or shift blame for their mistakes simply aren’t believable among those they lead. When you admit a mistake, your vulnerability allows others to connect with you more easily. They are then more apt to feel a greater level of commitment to you, and to be inspired to raise the bar for themselves. As strange as it may seem, coming clean about a good old-fashioned screw up is both strong and insightful leadership.
Self-coaching questions:
- How do I tend to handle accountability for my own mistakes?
- What would I need to do differently to be more accountable to others when I err?
- How might forgiving myself or others play a role in how I handle my mistakes?
David Peck
Executive Coach and President
Leadership Unleashed
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Note: Over 100 of these tips appear in my book: Beyond Effective: Practices in Self-aware Leadership. Click on the image of the book for more information.
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