The Strength to Be Wrong
We’ve all been there—feeling unsure, second-guessing a decision, or realizing we’ve made a mistake. It’s not a great feeling, is it? But what if these moments weren’t something to shy away from, but rather opportunities to learn and grow? By embracing our imperfections, we open ourselves up to progress, connection, and improvement. This is especially true in leadership and team work, where the strength to be wrong can be the key to moving forward.
None of us particularly enjoy being wrong—it can be uncomfortable and frustrating. Feeling foolish, uninformed, or unsure all falls into the same category. And yet, if we’re going to do what we do well, we not only have to be prepared for these moments, but also be open to sharing them with others. This is a vital part of growth for ourselves and for those around us.
Often, the fear of feeling this way leads us to hide our mistakes, as if no one else has ever made any. This can prevent us from learning valuable lessons, whether from our own experiences or from those we work alongside. It can also mean we take the long way around to better solutions, acting from a limited perspective, unchallenged by new experiences or others’ insights. Left unaddressed, mistakes can grow into larger issues that block our progress or slow us down.
No one reaches a leadership role by being right every single time. In fact, one of the greatest strengths of leadership is agility—the ability to make informed decisions quickly, reassess when necessary, and adjust course. Rarely is success the result of one big, perfect decision. It’s usually a series of choices, each one refined based on the results of the last.
Leaders who foster open communication, where mistakes can be admitted and corrected, create an environment where their teams can truly thrive. If leaders can model this openness themselves, demonstrating fallibility and how to recover from it, they pave the way for their teams to do the same. Growth comes from acknowledging our mistakes and learning from them. On the other hand, striving for perfectionism creates an atmosphere where progress and connection are stifled.
Courage plays a key role in admitting mistakes. While it can feel vulnerable to own up to something going wrong, vulnerability itself is a strength. It requires courage, and courage, as we know, isn’t the absence of fear but taking action despite it. This kind of openness is powerful—it builds trust, levels the playing field, and helps others feel more comfortable. After all, none of us are perfect. (Don’t tell anyone!) And because we all know that mistakes are inevitable, being in an environment where they are safely admitted and seen as opportunities for growth fosters connection and progress.
When we help create spaces where mistakes aren’t hidden or feared but are met with openness, reflection, and correction, we build stronger teams. This leads to closer relationships, quicker course corrections, and a more accurate approach to achieving goals. It also helps us to take ourselves a little less seriously!
By encouraging this kind of honest, vulnerable conversation, we create an environment where team members feel fully engaged and passionate. The fear of failure is lifted, allowing individuals to be creative, bring their whole selves to the table, and enjoy their work more freely.
Whether in our teams, businesses, or homes, it’s our imperfections that make us human. They’re what connect us, and they’re where growth, humour, and learning come from. When leaders model these traits, and team members feel safe to take responsibility and contribute to the bigger picture, we all become more fully engaged with our purpose—and the results speak for themselves.
by Christen Killick
July 12th, 2021