I learned long ago that leaders are not always right. As a leader, you will grow stronger with a more enduring and endearing legacy if you learn to admit your mistakes early and often. I am not advocating the “Woe is me” mentality though. If you find yourself constantly apologizing for short comings with little to no success, there is likely another issue with your leadership (Perhaps we should talk!). I am referring to the times when your judgement, your assessment, your snap decision results in the wrong conclusion. Admit it, make amends as much as they are in your power and move on.

All the time spent hiding, covering, and twisting the facts to shield your inadequacies is time wasted. As a leader you will fail and if you are a good leader you will likely fail often. Let those around you learn how to admit failure and move on, as opposed to learning how to hide their shortcomings. If I never fail, I am either not taking enough risks or I am deflecting the failure to some other person or cause.

If you have ever walked a road like this, I would encourage to stand in front of a mirror and say aloud, “I do not have all the answers. I have made mistakes and I will make them again. I refuse to hide them any longer and I resolve today to be more authentic about my failures than I ever have before. Everything changes today!” Admitting to yourself that you are not the savior is the first step to freedom. Realizing that others will not hate because you make mistakes is life-giving. Recognizing that time spent covering mistakes is time spent – never to be recovered.

You might not want to dwell in the past but taking a short journey back there from time to time may serve as a reminder that mistakes are not final and that you still have value – mistakes, failures, and shortcomings included.

Today, live!