As a Leader, is it Wrong to Say ________?

Which of the following are you most uncomfortable saying?

"I do not know, and I ...," "I was wrong," or "I am sorry."

?As a leader, you should keep those phrases in your front pocket and use them when appropriate. It’s not about you. It’s about the people you lead. Using them at the opportune time shows strength, not weakness.

Just so you know, your employees expect you to have answers, not all the answers. Therefore, letting them know when you do not know is okay. They will respect your candor. The same holds if you are a parent, a teacher, a pastor, a coach, a guardian, or a politician ? honesty is still the best policy.

Misleading others out of fear can harm your credibility more than saying, “I don’t know, and I’ll …” Then, you must do your due diligence to find the answer for them.

The more vulnerability you show, the easier it will be for them to reciprocate. ?

Also, admitting when you are wrong and apologizing for your indiscretions produces the same benefit. Your apology, however, must be genuine. Anything less than that signals an absence of integrity ? and sends the wrong message.?

Meanwhile, having “I don’t know, and…, I was wrong, and I’m sorry”?in your front pocket is not a ticket to avoid being as prepared as you can be as a leader. Being adequately prepared will minimize your reliance on apologies. All the answers you need to blossom as a leader are around you ? in the hearts and minds of your direct reports.

However, to get the answers, you must ask them the questions to draw out the answers. The more you help them feel valued, the more they’ll go the extra mile to add value to the organization.

In the end, saying, “I don’t know, I was wrong, and I’m sorry,” can be the key to connecting with the people on whose shoulders your success falls. Again, saying “I’m sorry” is never a weakness, it’s a strength.