The Best Thing To Do When You Mess Up

As leaders, we’ve all been there: that awful moment of clarity when we realize we’ve screwed up. Our hearts and minds race, our palms sweat and our mouths dry up. We consider our options and what to do next: Hope no one notices the flub? Hide out until it blows over? Pretend it never happened?

But hope is not a strategy and taking timely action trumps passivity or avoidance.

The best thing you can do when you make a mistake is to be accountable and own it immediately. Here’s why:

You’ll avoid misunderstandings.

The benefit of immediate accountability is that you can have clear and open communication about what went wrong and why. And hearing directly from a leader about his or her mishap helps diffuse any possible rumors or miscommunication that could arise if the leader had waited.

It demonstrates your vulnerability—and strength.

Vulnerable leaders are strong leaders. It takes courage to admit when you’ve screwed up and face possible judgment and ridicule. Dr. Brené Brown, a research professor at the University of Houston who has spent two decades studying courage and vulnerability, advocates that leaders “embrace the suck” that is vulnerability and admit when they’ve made a mistake. Insecure leaders try to minimize their exposure by covering up their mistakes; confident leaders aren’t afraid to own them.

By acknowledging your mistakes, you’ll learn from them instead of repeating them.

Sara Blakely, the founder of Spanx, famously grew up with a father who asked her and her brother at dinner, “How did you fail today?” The finest leaders understand how to shift their perspective to view a “failure” as an opportunity to learn something new. Because of this, they no longer worry about being wrong and instead, delight in being mistaken. Remember, you’re doomed to repeat a mistake and can’t learn from it unless you first acknowledge it.

It showcases your true leadership colors.

When you take responsibility for your mistakes, you send a clear message to others about your character, integrity and authenticity. You demonstrate what’s called intellectual humility, or the willingness to recognize that what you think and believe might be wrong. Research shows that leaders with intellectual humility have an advantage over those who rely upon ego and power, gaining influence and earning others’ respect and loyalty.

It signals to others that you’re human—and they can be, too.

News flash: all leaders make mistakes because all leaders are human. But not all leaders are willing to admit to it for fear of looking incompetent. Leaders who own up to their shortcomings signal that theirs is a culture in which it’s okay to be imperfectly human. And when leaders model this behavior, they create a more open and collaborative culture where others are encouraged to share their ideas.

This piece was first published on Forbes.com. Find it here, and Amy's other articles here.

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Amy Blaschka is a social media ghostwriter who helps leaders craft their stories and communicate and connect better.Contact her if you'd like her help.

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