Getting Wrong, Right

She stood before the board of directors and said, “I got it wrong.” The CEO had just presented a product launch that fell short of expectations. The anticipated launch missed on target goals, which the CEO was courageous enough to admit and begin to learn from.

In our human and leadership journey, emotions and egos often create a challenge – something that wouldn’t be an issue if we weren’t so driven by our feelings and pride. Yet, here we are, dealing with the complexities of both.

It’s crucial to face the fact that we can be wrong, not just admitting it to ourselves but to others. This inconvenient reality is a critical step in growing up and the foundation for personal and professional progress.

Ray Dalio, a wise billionaire who founded Bridgewater Associates and wrote “Principles,” points out that the significant issue humanity faces is being too sensitive about our egos when it comes to being right or wrong and understanding our strengths and weaknesses.

I suspect that many of us can relate to the idea, saying, “That sounds like me!” For a long time, this was a big hurdle for me in moving forward in life. Only when I faced it directly, actively working on it consistently, did I experience the benefits.

Cut yourself a break, and remember that the journey of self-discovery and self-awareness is a work in progress. When we embrace our imperfections, we open ourselves to a developmental world of self-acceptance, self-compassion, self-love, and personal growth.

On the flip side, if you achieve something you thought you couldn’t, it makes you question what you believe. Life is more intricate than some people think. So, if you haven’t already, think about your beliefs and consider which ones you might want to change and what you’d change them to.

Directly related to this is our opportunity to apprentice ourselves for the practice of change. Did you know the half-life of a professional skill today is five years or less? That will accelerate with AI. So, the ability to change your thinking, your beliefs, and your skills is a valuable metta skill in our rapidly changing world.

Questions to consider:
How do you handle the idea that you might be wrong?

What does your self-talk sound like when it’s time to evolve, change, grow, and learn new skills?

What is the cost of protecting your pride compared to discovering truth and reality?

Think about loosening your convictions as strides toward becoming the best version of yourself. You are a work in progress. Don’t get attached to who you were yesterday.

Consider getting being wrong right, not merely safeguarding the protection of your ego, but rather, as a catalyst to your personal and professional growth.

If you want a more trusting team, a culture of belonging or a magnetic brand that attracts more of the right customers, I can help. If you'd like to explore if working together makes sense, drop me a line.

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