Leadership: The Power of 'I Was Wrong': Why Transparency Changes Everything

I'll never forget the moment I realized I'd made a significant mistake in a decision that affected my entire team. My stomach dropped. My first instinct? Come up with a really good explanation that would shift the blame somewhere: anywhere: else.

But then something stopped me. I thought about the leaders who'd shaped me most, and they all had one thing in common: they weren't afraid to say "I was wrong."

So I did it. I gathered everyone, owned my mistake completely, and apologized. The response wasn't what I expected. Instead of losing respect, I gained it. Instead of creating distance, I built trust. That moment taught me something powerful: vulnerability isn't weakness in leadership: it's the foundation of strength.

Why "I Was Wrong" Is So Hard to Say

Let's be real. Those three words feel like they might cost us everything. We've been conditioned to believe that leaders should have all the answers, make perfect decisions, and never show weakness. Admitting a mistake feels like handing over ammunition to critics or revealing that we're frauds who don't deserve our positions.

But here's the truth: everyone already knows we're human. Everyone already knows we make mistakes. The only question is whether we'll own them or pretend they don't exist.

When we refuse to acknowledge our errors, we're not protecting our authority: we're eroding it. People see through the deflection. They notice when blame gets shifted. And every time we avoid accountability, we teach them that honesty isn't valued in our organization.

The Trust Factor

Research shows that 70% of workers would consider leaving their job if they had a bad manager. That's a staggering number. And one of the fastest ways to become a "bad manager" is to create an environment where you're never wrong and everyone else is always at fault.

Trust is the currency of leadership. Without it, you're just a person with a title. And trust is built through consistency between what we say and what we do. When we mess up and own it, we demonstrate integrity. We show that the same standards we hold others to apply to us as well.

I've seen this play out repeatedly. Teams led by people who freely admit mistakes are more cohesive, more innovative, and more loyal. Why? Because psychological safety exists. People know they won't be thrown under the bus for trying something that doesn't work. They feel secure enough to take reasonable risks and contribute ideas without fear.

On the flip side, I've also witnessed organizations where leaders never admit fault. These places are toxic. People spend more energy covering their tracks than actually doing their jobs. Innovation dies because no one wants to try anything new. And the best people leave as soon as they can.

How Transparency Changes Everything

When we admit mistakes openly, we don't just avoid damage: we actually create positive change. Here's what happens:

We model the behavior we want to see. If we want team members to be honest about challenges, to flag problems early, and to take ownership of their work, we have to demonstrate that ourselves. Our actions set the tone for the entire culture.

We create space for learning. Mistakes aren't failures: they're data points. When we acknowledge what went wrong, we can analyze why it happened and what we'll do differently next time. This turns errors into growth opportunities for everyone involved.

We normalize accountability. In organizations where leaders own their mistakes, accountability becomes the standard rather than the exception. People throughout the team become more willing to take responsibility because they see it modeled from the top.

We enable better decision-making. When we're transparent about our reasoning: including what didn't work and why: we give our teams context. They understand the "why" behind decisions and can make better choices in their own spheres of influence.

The Biblical Foundation

This approach to leadership isn't just good business practice: it's deeply rooted in Christian teaching. Jesus consistently modeled servant leadership. He washed his disciples' feet. He welcomed children when his followers tried to send them away. He admitted his anguish in the Garden of Gethsemane.

Scripture is full of leaders who made mistakes and admitted them. David's psalms are raw with confession. Peter denied Jesus three times and later became the rock of the early church. Paul called himself the chief of sinners.

The message is clear: God doesn't call the perfect; He calls the willing. And part of willingness is being honest about our humanity. When we try to project an image of perfection, we're not reflecting Christ: we're reflecting pride.

Loving people like Jesus means treating them as precious, valuable, and deserving of truth. It means not asking them to live under a different standard than we hold ourselves to. It means creating environments where growth is possible because honesty is safe.

Practical Steps to Lead Transparently

So how do we actually do this? Here are some practical ways to build a culture of transparency:

Acknowledge mistakes quickly. Don't let errors fester. Address them as soon as you recognize them. The longer you wait, the harder it becomes and the more damage occurs.

Be specific. Don't give vague apologies. Clearly state what you did wrong, why it was wrong, and what you're doing to fix it.

Don't make excuses. Context is fine, but don't use it as a shield. Own your part completely before providing any background information.

Follow through. If you say you'll do something differently, actually do it. Empty promises destroy trust faster than the original mistake.

Celebrate others who admit mistakes. When team members come forward with errors, thank them for their honesty. Make it safe for everyone to be transparent.

The Ripple Effect

When you start leading this way, the changes extend far beyond your immediate team. You influence how people lead their families, their volunteer organizations, their friendships. You show a different way of being human together: one based on grace, truth, and mutual respect.

I've had people tell me years later that watching me own a mistake gave them permission to be honest in their own lives. That's humbling and powerful. Our willingness to be vulnerable creates space for others to do the same.

Takeaway / Next Step

If you're in any kind of leadership position: whether that's at work, in your family, at church, or in your community: I want to challenge you to practice this. Think about a mistake you've made recently. Have you fully owned it? If not, find the courage to do that this week.

Start small if you need to. Admit you were wrong about something minor. Notice what happens. You'll probably find that the sky doesn't fall. People don't lose respect. In fact, you might be surprised at how much trust you build with three simple words: "I was wrong."

Leadership isn't about being perfect. It's about being real, being accountable, and pointing people toward truth: even when that truth reflects poorly on us. That's how we create cultures where everyone can grow, learn, and become who they're meant to be.

If you're working through leadership challenges or want to explore this topic more deeply, reach out to me on the site at laynemcdonald.com. I share resources on leadership, faith, creativity, and personal growth: and every visit helps raise funds for families who've lost children through Google AdSense at no cost to you. You can also connect with a community focused on Christian teachings and growth at Boundless Online Church, accessible privately or through sign-up. Let's keep building cultures where honesty, growth, and grace define how we lead.