We all make mistakes sometimes. You may have chased a deal that turned into a disaster or backed a bad promo. Or maybe you hired the wrong person and now you’re dealing with the fallout. Trying to spin it or hide the situation makes it worse. Instead, you should own up to the mistake. It shows that you’re accountable and capable of leading through difficult moments.
Allison Dunn, who heads up Deliberated Directions, says when you admit a mistake directly, calmly and with accountability, you don’t lose trust but earn it. In this issue of PromoPro Daily, we share Dunn’s perspective on how you can admit a mistake without losing trust.
Admit the mistake quickly. The longer you wait, the worse it gets, Dunn says. She advises naming the mistake without overexplaining or trying to soften it.
Don’t make excuses. People who call themselves leaders sometimes say things like, “Nobody could have predicted this” or “We made the best decision with the info we had.” That’s not helpful. In difficult situations, people don’t want excuses. Dunn recommends saying, “I misread the situation” or “I didn’t ask enough questions.”
Share what you’re doing to fix it. You owe it to your team to let them know what happens next. What process is in place to prevent a repeat? Dunn says this shifts the focus from blame to progress and reminds your team you’re taking meaningful action.
Pay attention to the team’s reaction. After you admit a mistake, watch what happens next. Do you notice silence or hesitation in meetings? Are people meeting without you? If you sense lingering tension, Dunn recommends saying, “I know I’m the one who messed up here. If you’re feeling cautious about how we moved forward, I’d like to hear it.”
Repair the trust. Don’t just reset the plan and try to get back on track. Acknowledge the impact your mistake had on the team and show gratitude for your team members staying committed despite the challenges. And remember to be human. Dunn says you could say, “This one landed hard. I’ve been reflecting, and I’m taking this seriously.”
Don’t overcorrect because you feel guilty. This might look like you seeking consensus on everything or avoiding making new decisions because you fear failing again. It’s good to listen more after a misstep, she says, but don’t give too much airtime to every opinion. Finding the right balance can help people move forward.
Your credibility as a promo pro doesn’t come from always getting it right — it comes from how you handle it when things go wrong. Owning your mistakes and staying open to feedback shows that you’re willing to learn and grow. And that’s what earns real trust.
Compiled by Audrey Sellers
Source: Allison Dunn is an award-winning coach who leads Deliberated Directions, an Idaho-based business and executive coaching firm.
