As a manager and a leader, there is a ton of pressure to get things right the first time.

You have your team, customers, and stakeholders all watching you, and it can be daunting to admit when you have failed or made a mistake at something. But we are humans, and failures are a part of life. In the corporate world, mistakes are common, but how you deal with your mistakes and failures can make a world of difference between being an average or excellent leader. 

How to Own Up to Your Mistakes?

Let’s discuss some ways managers can gracefully own their mistakes and set an example for their team members. 

Take Responsibility for Your Mistake Publicly 

This is one of the main areas where managers struggle, but also one of the most important things you can do to encourage a healthy company culture. If you make a mistake, own up to it. Think of it this way: If someone in your team made a mistake, would you want them to hide it, blame it on others, or hold themselves accountable? 

If you expect others to own up to their mistakes, why shouldn’t the same rule apply to you? You are human, we all are, and so we err. To think otherwise or feel ashamed for making mistakes is simply not realistic. Maybe you couldn't file a report on the assigned time or forgot a deadline. Perhaps you chose a supplier that didn't turn out to be a suitable match. Whatever the reason, the first step is publicly taking responsibility for your misstep or mistake. 

Beware of the Blind Spots 

Avoid making excuses, shifting the blame on others, or trying to justify your mistakes. Instead, just take responsibility and set an example for your team members and fellow managers.  

Leaders often make assumptions about their mistakes, how they happened, and who caused them. That’s because they view the situation from their lens, and there is always a degree of bias. When assessing a mistake or failure, it is essential to ensure there aren't any gaps in your thinking. Managers should clarify what happened by asking team members to share their recollections. When you make it a point to take accountability for your mistakes, the rest of the team will follow suit, creating transparency and improved communication at the workplace. 

Share What You Learned from Making the Mistake 

Mistakes are the best teachers, so see them as an opportunity to learn something new and share it with others. Sit down with your team and discuss what went wrong, how it happened, and what can be done to resolve it. 

Fix the Mistake 

Mistakes are usually symptomatic of a bigger problem that needs to be fixed. Once managers understand why the mistake occurred, they can create a process to prevent similar errors from happening. 

Summing Up

Making a mistake is not the end of the world, so own it like a true leader because no one else will on your behalf.