Embracing Mistakes: Wisdom in Leadership Decision-Making

I was so happy to see you reading my eighth article on leadership topics, and even more so with the responses and discussions I encountered, especially those in private messages. It's really heartwarming and forces me to dig deeper.

Last week, we discussed how leaders sometimes make unilateral decisions, and we attributed this to the leader's ability to see what others don't see, leading them to believe that their decision will be met with praise and applause. However, today's post delves into what happens if that decision turns out to be wrong. After all, we are all human, and none of us possess clairvoyance; Hence, the possibility of error exists in everything human.

Initially, the ramifications of wrong decisions made through group voting tend to be less important and more likely to be overlooked than those made by the leader individually. However, if a leader makes a wrong decision, what then?

A wise leader immediately apologizes for his mistake, pinpoints precisely where the mistake occurred, identifies the reasons why his decision was incorrect, and learns from them. Therefore, the leader must admit his mistake, and explain the reasons and lessons learned to all concerned, as this essential step enhances his team’s ability to accept mistakes more efficiently, and encourages some to contribute to finding possible solutions.

Avoiding blaming others and taking responsibility for their mistakes is the hallmark of strong leadership. If your decision-making is not rooted in arrogance, don't let pride compound the issue.

Usually, there are specific protocols for dealing with bad decisions. For example, in official state institutions, a minister can submit his resignation as a matter of etiquette if a major error occurs within the scope of his powers, as we have seen in the history of the Jordanian state. However, sometimes running away isn't the answer – especially if you're a business owner or head of household. This means that you cannot escape responsibility; You must face the truth and move quickly towards correction.

One strategy wise leaders use to correct mistakes is to hold an emergency meeting to canvass multiple opinions. But the leader must refrain from making unilateral decisions in this regard, as repeating the mistake means a miserable failure for everyone. Therefore, the leader must adhere to the opinions presented by others. The nature of these opinions should be derived from brainstorming sessions based on past mistakes.

“For every problem, there is a solution, and a mistake does not mean the end of the world but it can lead to our finest days. It is pressure and sharp turns that forge a wise and fierce warrior leader.”

In the coming weeks, we will address an important issue: What if disobedience occurs due to a wrong decision, and how does a leader deal with internal discord? Stay in touch.

Hazim khasawneh