Learn from your mistakes
Once you learn from your mistakes, don't repeat them.
The best leaders know creativity often means breaking rules, making mistakes and learning along the way. Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes; leadership is learning from them.
MORE IDEAS FROM THE ARTICLE
Never try to cover up or blame others for what went wrong. If you messed up, admit it and own it.
Admitting your mistakes earns you the respect of those you lead and makes your leadership human.
When you make mistakes, make a point of teaching others what you've learned. Doing so builds connection and trust.
The best leaders are the great teachers, coaches, and guides who show us the way after they have been down that path.
Successful people keep moving; they make mistakes but don't quit.
Learn to use failure as a stepping stone away from the past. You don't forget your mistake, but you don't dwell on it or let it get you down. Get up and keep moving.
RELATED IDEAS
- Lack of attention to tone. No matter what the circumstances, learn to pay attention to tone. Before you speak, pause and take a breath.
- One-size-fits-all communication. Different people have different needs and expectations.
- Avoiding the difficult conversation. Everybody faces conflict.Provide clear and actionable feedback, even when it is difficult for you.
- Reacting instead of responding. Before reacting with anger and frustration, pause to reflect.Then respond in stead of react.
- Indulging in gossip. Leave no place for gossip if you want to be trusted and esteemed as a communicator.
- Speaking more and listening less. When you listen more than you speak, you open yourself up to learning and empathy.
- Thinking you are being understood. Take the time to check that people have understood your message.
Take responsibility for whatever you did and understand the possible impact.
Give yourself room to be wrong, and don't defend yourself in hindsight. Defensiveness is your number one enemy.
Humor is a great psychological tool to get and keeping people on your side. Use it wisely, and use it often—especially when you screw up.
The next time you find yourself staring out at a crowd of people who just saw you make a huge mistake—and they know it was a mistake—don’t ignore it. Don’t try to cover it up. Don’t nervously apologize over and over. Use humor.