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The Value Of Being Accountable For Your Mistakes

mistakes

Even the most successful of people commit blunders from time to time. Thankfully, the standard for success is not perfection, but it is critical to take ownership of missteps and accept responsibility. As an entrepreneur, there may be times when you are the only person who can hold yourself accountable. Don’t let yourself slide, but acknowledge where you went wrong and take steps to rectify any mistakes you made.

One of the hallmarks of a true leader and successful entrepreneur is taking ownership of mistakes. Even when it’s difficult or it means accepting a slight amount of embarrassment, you have to break the habit of shifting the blame, ignoring issues that result from your mistakes and making others deal with your problems. You can start building more accountability for yourself in the following ways:

  • Be honest with yourself and others when you make mistakes
  • Take responsibility for the times you mess up
  • Empower yourself to take on challenges head-on, finding solutions in a difficult situation
  • Allow others the opportunity to be honest with you about the impact your actions have had

Owning your mistakes won’t make you weaker or seem less capable. In fact, being honest and open in these times will likely only solidify your reputation as someone who is trustworthy and professional. It means you have integrity and humility, and people are more likely to work with someone with these characteristics than someone who is dishonest and unwilling to take ownership of his or her mistakes.

Mistakes are inevitable, but the way that you handle missteps will set you apart from everyone else. Distinguish yourself by being honest in every aspect of your business operations, even when it’s unpleasant to do so. This will make you more relatable, more accessible and more respectable. Mistakes don’t define you or the success of your business, but how you handle them can.

By Meagan Kerlin for Vertu Marketing LLC