The Colonel said, “To lead effectively, you have to be humble enough to admit your mistakes, strong enough to fix them and smart enough to benefit from them.”
The news wires are all abuzz about the fiasco Sunday night at the Academy Awards show, when one callous remark sparked a momentary fit of rage that has now overshadowed everyone else’s moment of triumph.
By giving in to that rage and assaulting Chris Rock on stage, Will Smith has fractured his ability to lead in those areas that matter most to him.
Will Smith made a mistake. You will make mistakes. Everyone makes mistakes. To pretend otherwise is just vanity. When it does happen – and it will – it’s important to acknowledge it.
As a leader, however, simply admitting a mistake is a hollow gesture, if you aren’t willing to buck up and fix the problem created by your mistake. If it has affected others, it’s sometimes beneficial to solicit input from them about how to correct the error. It’s possible that what you believe is an appropriate remedy is not what they want or need. This gives them a voice and guides them toward the healing process.
It’s imperative at that point for you to actually put into action the solutions they have recommended, or you must explain to them why you are going in a different direction and how that direction will affect them.
The last step is the most important in this whole process. Admitting mistakes and making them right is useless if we don’t learn from them and find a way to create a positive from a negative. What is the silver lining and how can it be put to use to benefit your team, your organization, your community? Seeing you turn your lemon into a lemon meringue pie for the benefit of everyone will be a very valuable lesson to your team, while you are also learning and growing. I will be intently watching to see if and how Will Smith does that going forward.
Being honest in admitting your mistakes and allowing them to become teachable moments creates an atmosphere that is supportive of honesty, redemption, and growth.
Read Lauren’s Whitepaper on The Nine Essentials of Significant Leadership.