How Do You Handle Being Wrong?

Handling mistakes isn’t easy, but it’s essential. Everyone finds themselves on the wrong side of a decision at some point. It's life! Admitting you're wrong is tough, but it's crucial. Especially as an executive because your team is watching you. You're the leader, remember? Think about when Steve Jobs admitted the iPhone 4 had antenna issues. He didn’t dodge it; he addressed it head-on and provided free cases to solve the problem. Owning up to your errors builds trust. If your team sees you doing it, they’re more likely to follow suit, creating a culture of honesty while admitting we live in a world where learning has to happen.

So what do you do first? Play detective. Dig into the root cause of your mistake. Was it a decision based on incomplete data? Did you get emotional (this one can snag you quickly!)? Did you ignore a team member's warning? Use feedback and data to get to the bottom of it. Be open to what you find and what the data tells you. Netflix, for example, learned from its failed Qwikster spin-off by analyzing customer feedback and market data. Customers screamed, they listened and adjusted. Understanding the cause is key to avoiding repeat performances. It's challenging when we make mistakes, they're grievous when we make them twice.

So now you know why it happened, but what did you notice about behaviors? I've found there are sometimes anti-patterns. These behaviors scream, “I refuse to acknowledge my mistake!” Think deflecting blame, making excuses, or flat-out ignoring the problem. These moves can tank team morale and wreck your credibility. Remember Kodak? They ignored the digital photography wave until it was too late. Recognize and avoid these behaviors to keep your team on track and your reputation intact.

How to clean it up. Outline clear steps to correct the mistake and minimize any fallout. Look at how Johnson & Johnson handled the Tylenol crisis: they pulled products from shelves, communicated openly with the public, and reintroduced Tylenol with tamper-proof packaging. Did you know they even offered to exchange any bottles that people wanted? Clear communication, making things right, and collaboration are your allies here. Get your team involved in creating and executing the corrective plan. What would right the wrong?

Finally, embrace the learning opportunity. Mistakes are inevitable, but they’re also invaluable lessons. Reflect on what went wrong, what worked in the corrective phase, and how to avoid similar issues. This approach helps build resilience and adaptability and both of those are like muscles, they get better and stronger with use. Remember, it’s not about the mistake; it’s about what you learn from it and how you handle things moving forward.

In the end, handling mistakes well can turn a potential disaster into a powerful growth moment for you and your team. So, next time you mess up, don’t sweat it—own it, learn from it, and move forward stronger.