7 Ways Owning Your Mistakes Will Make You More Powerful

What’s something we all do but rarely talk about? No, not that. Get your mind out of the gutter. I’m talking about mistakes. 

No one likes messing up, but it’s part of being human. And, believe it or not, embracing your blunders can actually make you more powerful in so many ways. 

You only have to look at characters on the big screen to see what I mean.

Take poor Simba, for example. He blames himself for Mufassa’s death and runs away (the less we think about that scene, the better). Later, he admits his perceived mistake which helps him realise that he needs to face his past and take responsibility for his kingdom. This realisation empowers him to return and become the Lion King. Hurray!

Here’s the bottom line: Holding our hands up to our mistakes enables us to take responsibility for our lives. It also shows others that we’re willing to grow from these experiences. 

What happens when we own our mistakes?

We Gain Trust 

First, let’s get real. When you admit a mistake, it might feel like you’re exposing a weakness. But, in reality, you’re showing that you’re an authentic, honest human being. People appreciate that! They’ll trust you more because they know you’re someone who tells it like it is.

We Build Character

Now, I won’t lie to you. Owning up to mistakes can feel like swallowing a bitter pill. It’s not easy! But over time, it helps build your character. It’s like going to the gym for your moral compass. You’ll find yourself becoming more principled and valuing integrity over ego.

We Foster Growth

We’ve all heard the phrase, “live and learn.” That’s what mistakes are all about! By admitting them, you create a chance to grow and evolve. It’s like turning lemons into lemonade; you’re using a setback to fuel your future success.

We Boost Emotional Intelligence

Emotional intelligence is all the rage these days, and for a good reason. It’s all about recognising and managing your emotions and understanding others’. When you admit a mistake, you’re showing empathy and emotional awareness. It’s like you’re giving your EQ a little boost every time you own up.

We Build Resilience

Let’s face it, life can throw some curveballs. Owning your mistakes helps you build the resilience you need to catch them. You learn that falling down isn’t the end of the world. It’s about how you get back up that counts. Each time you bounce back, you become a bit stronger, a bit more unshakeable.

We Raise Confidence

Here’s the irony: admitting your imperfections can actually boost your confidence. It shows that you’re comfortable in your own skin, warts and all. This self-acceptance gives you the confidence to take on the world, even when things get tough.

We Enhance Leadership Skills

You know those leaders who seem to have a loyal following? They’re the ones who lead by example, who show they’re human too. Owning your mistakes sets the tone for a culture of accountability and encourages others to be upfront too. It’s like you’re creating a domino effect of honesty and responsibility.

A Few Final Tips

By now, we can pretty much all agree that there’s far greater power in owning our mistakes than trying to hide them away. So, I’ll leave you a few handy tips and strategies to keep in mind when the time comes to face the music.

Be Proactive

When you realise you’ve made a mistake, take action to address it before it escalates. By proactively confronting the issue, you show that you’re aware of the problem, and you spare others the potential discomfort of pointing it out to you.

Offer a Sincere Apology

Say you’re sorry from the heart, and admit you messed up and that it hurt someone else, the team, or the business. Don’t get all defensive or make it about you. People really just want to know that you get how your actions affected them, not why you did it.

Have Compassion 

When things go wrong at work, it’s easy to feel embarrassed and start beating ourselves up about it. But constantly dwelling on past mistakes doesn’t do us any good. Instead, we can learn from our slip-ups and use them to grow, as long as we don’t waste time berating ourselves.

If you ever find yourself in a tough spot because of a mistake, treat yourself the way you’d treat a friend going through the same thing. Being kind to yourself has loads of benefits. It can help you see things more clearly, boost your confidence, and get back on track after a setback.

So, the next time you find yourself cringing over a mistake, remember that it’s an opportunity to become a more powerful, authentic version of yourself. Embrace it, learn from it, and watch how it transforms your life for the better. Trust me, you’ve got this!