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Let's Be Honest Here

1/14/2014

Writing in the New York Times, the Nobel Prize-winning economist Paul Krugman recently admitted that he is sometimes wrong. “If you write about current affairs and you’re never wrong, you just aren’t sticking your neck out enough. Stuff happens, and sometimes it’s not the stuff you thought would happen,” he said.

Needless to say, if Nobel Prize-winners can be wrong, so can any mere mortal. But as Krugman also noted, people are reluctant to admit mistakes in a climate where critics jump on them and say, “In 1996 you said A, and now in 2014 you say B. Gotcha!”

We agree! If someone admits they have been mistaken, let’s be gracious and avoid gloating. Rather than accusing the person of “flip-flopping,” we suggest a more productive re-frame: Acknowledge that admitting a mistake does not show weakness, but rather a strength of character and a willingness to learn.

Tell us your thoughts! How do you react when someone admits a mistake? And how have people reacted to you when you have done the same? Share your responses to the weekly discussion question on our Community of Practice Forum

6 Comments

Michelle

1/14/2014 01:50:54 am

I agree with this comment. Also, what I tell my staff, its okay to make a mistake as long as learn from the mistake. I would rather have a decision made, using criteria, resulting in a mistake than no decision at all.

susan glaser

1/14/2014 06:47:24 am

Wondering Michelle: What has it taken to convince your staff that making decisions and learning from mistakes will be supported?

Fabienne Peter-Contesse

1/14/2014 02:59:03 am

One of my jobs as a leader and mentor is to make the workplace safe for learning, stretching and growing and this includes asking questions (repeatedly, if necessary until you get it) and making mistakes. Fortunately we are not in the business where a mistake can cost lives, and freely admitting and taking ownership of a mistake builds relationships. I find fewer people willing to do this however, as society becomes more litigious and less about taking personal responsibility.

I enjoy conversing with someone over a problem where we can admit where we blew it, figure out why, and work towards repairing any damage to the work product or relationship. I have found that even if the mistake wasn't fully mine, admitting my part in it will build dialog and the relationship. Oh dear, isn't that a Glaser thing? You two are in my head...

1/14/2014 06:45:26 am

Ah, Fabienne, would love to think of that kind of communication accountability as a "Glaser thing" -- and being in your head is a good place to be:)

Merry link

1/14/2014 05:33:10 am

Mistakes? We all make them at times, and I believe that learning from them and moving forward is the best way to deal with them.
Taking responsibility and admitting the mistake should be handled in a positive manner. As so many these days refuse to take responsibility for their actions and want to shift blame elsewhere, I admire people who admit they made a mistake and then learn from it. As a sign of maturity and respect for each other, I find mistakes are usually best handled with an attitude of "Ok, that has happened, now what can we do to fix it or move on?" Depending on how bad the mistake affects others or the business as a whole, that can be a bit hard to do, but it is the way to handle it. Resolve the situation and hopefully prevent it happening again.
On a personal level, in relationships at home and at work, if someone makes a mistake and owns up to it, I am inclined to forgive and resolve the problem quickly. I have been treated in most every way when I made a mistake and admitted it - from the kind, to the abusive. I think how we have been treated tends to help us treat others better too.
A mistake is simply that - not something planned or intended to harm. We all make them, but how we handle taking responsibility for ours, and accept other people's mistakes, says a lot about who we are as a person and a manager or employee.

1/14/2014 06:49:42 am

I resonate with your comment that mistakes can lead to great problem solving if that is our intention. Would be great if that were more universal.

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