If you’re a leader, you are open to the idea that you will make mistakes. And let’s be clear on this. Because you are a human being, you are fallible. Eventually, if you are making decisions, you will make the wrong one. The only way to avoid mistakes is to do nothing at all. Since leaders take action and leaders make decisions, leaders will make mistakes.
When you do, you must recognize that you were wrong and you must change your mind.
I have the honor to serve as a delegate in a national youth movement. We are preparing for our triennial conference, where we will vote on a number of proposals, including changes to our constitution. When the board of the movement first presented the proposals, they took a stance on each one. The board clearly articulated which proposals they supported and which they didn’t. Then they listened. We held numerous preparatory meetings (all virtual, obvs) to discuss each proposal.
One proposal sparked energetic discussions in each meeting. The board was against it, they told us. They heard loudly and clearly from the delegates (me among them) the reasons why — despite their stance — we continued to support the proposal.
They changed their stance. They admitted that they were wrong. They listened to the delegates and now support the proposal.
How many times have you admitted your mistake? When did you last utter the words, “You’re right. I’m wrong. Let’s do it your way”?