Normally when bosses and leaders make mistakes, they blame others, have thoughts of retribution, or hide out. The problem? They fail to take responsibility and hold themselves accountable for fixing it.
When leaders fail to admit or own their mistakes, they often attempt to hide the mistake or talk over it. This ripple effect impacts the team, customers, and bottom line. Trust has been eroded and is usually difficult to regain.
Tips to Resolving Mistakes
Complete What Worked? / What Didn’t Work? This simple exercise will objectively clarify what happened when you use specific numbers and/or other metrics. When you complete the exercise, you will see what needs to be done to move forward. (See the full exercise, Get Your Brag On!)
Talk with Your Boss. Be in communication! The worst thing is having the boss learn about your mistake from others. Use the exercise above to clarify. Ask him/her for input and any other insights without being defensive.
Hire an Executive Coach. Many times, guilt or other emotions can get in the way of doing what’s best for the team, company, and client. Hiring an executive coach allows for confidential conversations. These sessions can guide you through the best way to resolve it. It also supports your self-esteem and self-worth after having made a mistake or experienced a failure, especially if others have warned you ahead of time.
Apologize. Apologizing is the hardest skill for most bosses and leaders to learn! We either ignore the need to do it, or overdo it! A simple “I’m sorry” works, whether it is to an individual or the team. Use the word “I” and don’t repeat yourself more than once!
Listen to the Feedback. Hearing what happened from others’ perspectives is important. It rebuilds trust if you’ve done the work required to correct the mistake. Remember, owning the mistake is important, and not allowing others to place the blame on the company, client, or economy … or each other! (It’s a short-lived feel good. But long-term, doesn’t resolve the mistake or failure.)
Listen for the Unsaid. Practice listening for the unsaid from your team members, customers, or boss … they may not realize they have the solution! Be careful because your ego may get in the way of your ability to truly listen.
Create a Recovery Plan. After acknowledging the mistake, outline the steps to resolve it. Identify the root cause, clarify responsibilities, set timelines, and follow up. This reinforces accountability and demonstrates leadership maturity. Always listen for feedback to avoid repeating the mistake or causing a different one!
©Jeannette Seibly 2024-2026 All Rights Reserved
Jeannette Seibly is a Leadership Results Coach, Talent Advisor, and Business Author with 33 years of experience activating greatness in leaders and companies. She delivers practical coaching and solutions that elevate performance today, build legacies that stand the test of time, and support people in empowering themselves to lead with clarity and impact.