6 Gracious Ways to Admit You Are Wrong
By Kristin Hodgkinson and Wendy R. Weidenbaum
Admitting you’re wrong is never easy. Now, factoring in that you hold a position of power makes owning up to your mistakes all the more difficult. In our work culture, we are often led to believe that leaders are supposed to be the epitome of strength, competence, and confidence. In light of that, making mistakes can often be misinterpreted as a weakness. In reality, admitting your mistakes and then taking it one step further and apologizing for them is in fact a power leadership tool. Showing vulnerability by acknowledging you’re wrong exhibits strong character traits and flexibility.
Follow these tips to learn how to effectively apologize in the workplace and get one step closer to creating a work culture that is both amicable and open to change.
Don’t Make Excuses; Own Your Mistake
For many leaders, when a mistake is made, the knee-jerk reaction is to make excuses so as not to take responsibility for the error. Instead, it is always best to take ownership of your actions. Let others know you are taking responsibility and acknowledging you are aware that what you did was wrong.
Be Sincere
If your apology isn’t sincere, it is almost worse than not giving one at all. Be sure to start out by saying “I’m sorry” and clearly verbalizing your mistake. Don’t try and alleviate the situation with humor because that can come off as insincere or sarcastic. Be forthright and make sure that the wronged party knows you mean it.
Allow Time to Vent
After delivering your apology, allow the other person time to vent. He may criticize you or simply let you know how your action impacted the client, team, etc. Either way, it’s important to let him have the opportunity to air his feelings, because by doing so you are recognizing that how he feels is important to you. Do not get defensive or make excuses.
Listen and Find Middle Ground
Once you have taken the time to hear your colleague or employee, work together to find a solution to ensure that the mistake is not made again. This will solidify in her mind that you are serious about making a positive change and maintain your integrity going forward.
Learn from Mistakes
Once a solution has been agreed upon, don’t just talk the talk; be sure to also walk the walk. No matter how good your apology is, not following through will damage your credibility more than not apologizing in the first place. Prove to your colleagues and employees that you are a sincere leader and deliver on your promises.
Being able to admit your mistakes shows strength and vulnerability as a leader. By taking the right actions when a mistake is made you have the power to ensure that the work culture is one of honesty and openness and will become a place that is committed to positive change.