The best way to admit that you are wrong

Edwin M Sarmiento — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 06:01:00 +0000

Let’s admit it, we are humans and we make mistakes. But it really is very difficult to admit that we make them. I don’t know why but that’s human nature. In today’s corporate environment, its but natural for just about any leader or manager to hide the fact that they make mistakes. But the truth about admitting mistakes is highlighted in Anne Adrian’s blog on why it is important for leaders (and just about anybody, for that matter) to admit that they are wrong. Leaders, and people in general, who admit their mistakes

– show they are real humans too, increasing trust and loyalty.
– relate to others by the admission.
– give opportunities for others to do the same.
– reduce the likelihood of anyone making the same mistake in the future.
– provide opportunities for others to learn from the mistakes.
– provide opportunities for discovering improvements and for making better decisions in the future.

The most liberating thing to do when anybody made a mistake is to speak or write the three most powerful words of the instance: I WAS WRONG. The message conveyed in this statement is so powerful that it changes both the one who says it and the one who listens to it. And, by the way, I just did that today

Edwin M SarmientoThe best way to admit that you are wrong – Edwin M Sarmiento

The best way to admit that you are wrong