One benefit of experience is the store of leadership mistakes we all have to draw upon in our current endeavors.
For me, my leadership mistakes are occasionally the topic of my workshop and classroom cases and activities. I am a prolific case writer for strategy and leadership scenarios, and I occasionally insert myself as the foil in these cases. (Note: if you are looking for a bit of humility in your life, try having a room full of wicked smart people mercilessly dissect your handling of a situation and readily conclude you were the problem.)
I like to incorporate a case where I was the bumbling leader, early in the program. During the course of discussion and solution development, the group invariably flogs the leader’s handling of the situation, and while I cringe inwardly, I maintain my disguise and keep facilitating. (They invariably develop solutions I wish I would have thought of at the time!) Once they’ve made their final recommendations, I divulge my role, and you can hear the room gasp. It comes in part from the recognition that they just unknowingly eviscerated me.
I confess to worrying about this approach the first few times I tried it. It seemed a bit narcissistic, but the case situation is never really about me. It’s about exploring a complex situation and looking for the best options to move forward. My worries about my involvement proved to be unfounded.
Instead of the expected awkwardness, the group seemed to relax and open up about their mistakes and challenges. Every time I use this technique, the early awkward tension dissipates, and the group moves forward with comfort and confidence.
And always, I am reminded how powerful our leadership mistakes are as lessons for ourselves and others. It turns out, all of my successes are built upon a foundation of wisdom gained via my mistakes.
The Bottom-Line for Now:
No one serves in a leadership role without making mistakes. If you screw up, pick yourself up, dust yourself off and keep marching—a bit wiser and a lot better prepared for the next challenge. You too will build success upon a foundation of lessons learned the hard way. You might even have the chance to help others benefit from your own misfires. Just be prepared for the gasp.
Your post is very insightful. I like how you courageously include your mistakes in your workshops. Often, leaders find it hard to admit their mistakes and that it is their responsibilities. However, a good leader does not only accept their mistakes, but also learned from it. You just have to look in the mirror, all the lessons are there. These mistakes are your benchmark in reaching your best next time.
Thanks for reading and sharing your wisdom, Brooke!