Apologize

#Beingaleader means you have to apologize. Quickly. Without hesitation.

It’s important for the leader to by humble enough to know that they don’t have all the right ideas and in fact they might get something wrong while the team member might have the right idea. #Beingaleader is about recognizing both situations and being humble enough to apologize as necessary.

But not just apologizing. Apologizing quickly. Don’t wait for a more convenient time. Do it now. I recently sent a calendar invite to a group and outlined who would be presenting what material. I inadvertently left an important member of my team off that presenter list. That person was brave enough to raise the issue and I quickly apologized since I had no intent to forget their name. Doing it immediately made the oversight a non-issue and we could go about our day without resentment fomenting in the background.

Beyond the immediate act of saying “sorry,” a truly effective leader uses an apology as an opportunity for growth. It’s not just about fixing a specific mistake, but about fostering a culture of trust and safety within the team. It signals to everyone that it’s okay to be imperfect and that learning from mistakes is valued. This creates an environment where people feel comfortable taking risks, offering different perspectives, and ultimately, contributing more fully.

#Beingaleader means you have to apologize. Quickly. I’m sorry.