The Power of Owning Your Mistakes in Business

Mistakes happen in business. The real test is how you handle them.

I recently had to tell a client we were $300,000 over budget. Part of it was due to changes they made, but part of it was my fault—I misbid the job.

Facing that conversation wasn’t easy. But instead of making excuses, I said: “I made a mistake. I misbid the project.”

You know what happened?

• The client was surprised—but not angry.

• The tension disappeared because I owned it.

• We moved straight to solutions.

In entrepreneurship, owning your mistakes builds credibility. It shows integrity. And it helps you learn faster.

Next time you mess up—and you will—don’t deflect. Just say:

• “I was wrong.”

• “Here’s what I’ve learned.”

• “Here’s how I’ll fix it.”

That’s leadership. That’s growth.