We Are Human - We Make Mistakes

I wish more people understood what a blessing it is to realise when you have made a mistake and, more importantly, to have the courage to address it.

We are human. Mistakes are part of being human. Yet we seem to live in a world that expects perfect people in positions of responsibility.

I have seen research directors use the wrong methodology. CEOs make poor business decisions. Spiritual leaders make serious moral errors. Brilliant speakers lose their way during presentations. Conference speakers forget to remove an AI prompt from their slides. I have even seen surgical consultants make errors that left junior doctors stunned.

These things can be uncomfortable. Some have serious consequences and absolutely require accountability.

But they also remind us of something important:

Expertise does not make us infallible. Position does not make us perfect. Experience does not eliminate human error.

The real test is what happens next.

Can you recognise that you were wrong?

Can you admit it even to someone younger or junior to you?

Can you apologise without making excuses?

Can you correct the mistake?

Can you learn from it?

If you can recognise your mistake, your conscience is still alive.

If you can admit it, you demonstrate courage.

If you correct it, you demonstrate integrity.

And if you learn from it, you demonstrate growth.

We should be careful, though, not to confuse accepting human imperfection with excusing irresponsibility. Some mistakes are preventable. Some cause real harm. Some demand consequences.

But accountability and humanity can coexist.

We probably need fewer cultures where people are afraid to admit they are wrong, and more cultures where people can say:

“I got this wrong. Let me fix it.”

Because the most impressive people are not necessarily those who never make mistakes.

They are the ones who have the humility to recognise them, the courage to own them, and the integrity to make things right. The leaders I admire and respect in real life are these.

You don't have to be perfect to be worthy of respect.

Sometimes, the most powerful thing a person can say is simply

“I was wrong.”

And then do something about it.