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| Photo courtesy of Fotoroto via Compflight.com |
“Mistakes are always
forgivable, if one has the courage to admit them” – Bruce Lee
As a gardener I have created some beautiful gardens,
grown plants that I never thought I could, learned a lot through trial and
error, killed a lot of plants, given out a lot of advice, and now I must admit
that I was wrong. It’s not easy to do. I really hate being wrong.
When people find out that I’m a Master Gardener they often
fire questions at me about what ails their tree or plant. Sometimes I can
answer the question or at least guide them to who can help them. Google can
often be a more effective plant doctor than I. Last year I gushed about how
easy roses are to grow and that there really is a rose bush out there for
everyone. I suggested some varieties that are almost foolproof and encouraged people
to get out there and plant some roses in my blog greenthumbleadership.com
I was wrong. Today I admitted defeat and dug up over 10
rosebushes that just weren’t cutting it. They are varieties that should have
been happy and flourishing in my garden. I fed them, watered them, and they
looked horrible. Out they came. I admit that roses aren’t easy to grow – even the foolproof ones. They can be finicky,
demanding, and get awful ugly this time of year. I won’t vow to never plant one
again and I do have some roses that look like a Better Homes and Gardens
picture. But…I was wrong and I’m sorry – maybe you should skip the roses in the
garden.
Although I’m not a garden expert, I like to think that I’m
pretty knowledgeable and experienced. When you are somewhat of an “expert” it’s
hard to admit that you are wrong or made a mistake. Too many of us are too
proud, weak, or cowardly to admit that we are wrong. We fear that the consequences
of playing it straight will damage our reputation or weaken us in the eyes of
others. We have egos that refuse to allow us to say “I was wrong”.
I have seen people
blame others for their mistakes because then they can convince themselves that they
weren’t wrong. I knew someone in college who would never admit that she was
wrong. Her opinion was the only one and it was always someone else who was
wrong or made an error. Are you that person?
Why you need to step up and say “I Was Wrong”
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It’s the right thing to do and can bring you
personal closure and peace.
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Take personal ownership and become a better
leader.
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Being wrong can bring new opportunities and
learning. You won’t embrace either of these if you can’t admit that you are
wrong.
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Proactive change comes from seeing and admitting
what you really don’t want to.
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Saying you are wrong leads to apologies that
should have been said a long time ago.
·
Managing your mistakes makes you a stronger
manager, collaborator, leader.
·
People admire those who they feel are honest and
“gutsy’ enough to step up and admit they were wrong.
·
Admitting you are wrong will build stronger relationships
and teams. The blame and games may quell a bit.
·
Sharing failures can help others to learn and
grow as well.
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We are all human and it’s time that we admit it.
We will fail and make mistakes. We are far from perfect and if we all just
agree that we will fail, we will build more trust. If we admit our mistakes.
So. Are you
finally ready to stand up when you are in error and say “Okay, I was wrong”?