The Power of “I Was Wrong,” “I’m Sorry,” and “I Made a Mistake”

In this episode (and the accompanying Substack essay), we explore three phrases that are universally encouraged in our personal relationships — yet oddly discouraged, complicated, or even punished in professional leadership spaces:I was wrong.I’m sorry.I made a mistake.While accountability language is foundational to healthy marriages, friendships, and families, it is often treated as risky or weak in leadership roles. This episode examines why that disconnect exists — and why it’s costing organizations trust, credibility, and growth.In this reflection, we explore:Why leaders are often taught to prioritize certainty over honestyHow fear of appearing weak discourages accountabilityThe difference between confidence and infallibilityWhy refusing to admit mistakes erodes trust faster than making themHow accountability language creates psychological safetyThe long-term leadership strength that comes from owning missteps earlyWhy repair matters more than perfectionWe also talk about how modeling accountability gives teams permission to learn, adapt, and recover — instead of hiding errors, deflecting blame, or freezing in fear.Key takeaway:Strong leadership isn’t about never being wrong. It’s about what you do after you realize you are. Leaders who can say “I was wrong,” “I’m sorry,” and “I made a mistake” don’t lose authority — they build it. Get full access to I'm Just Getting Started at imjustgettingstarted1.substack.com/subscribe