We screw up. Humans screw up. It happens and we all do it. How we respond to it, sets people apart.

Certain people refuse to acknowledge their mistakes. They double down rather than admitting they were wrong. They reassert the shaky position rather than acknowledging they might have misunderstood or been incorrect. Invariably this position gets people in worse trouble than the original mistake would ever have. The consequences are often bigger. This position forces people to fudge the truth or flat out lie to support their rightness and at some point it all comes crumbling down.

Other people own their mistakes readily. They know they are not perfect and freely acknowledge when they have done something wrong. It was an honest mistake, not an intentional omission and they correct it as soon as they are able. This is a sign of strength. This person is not threatened by inaccuracy, and knows that just because they made a mistake once does not mean they are incompetent or unskilled.

Recognizing your mistakes and learning from them is a sign of confidence. Those that get defensive and lash out at the prospect of their own mistake show their insecurity with every word.

Mistakes are ok. That’s how we learn and improve. I learn a lot more from the things I’ve done wrong than I ever have from the things I’ve done right. And owning up to those mistakes and working to correct them minimizes the damage every time. The trouble almost always becomes worse when you try to cover it up or explain it away or refuse to acknowledge it is a mistake in the first place. At some point it moves beyond an accidental oversight into an acknowledged wrongdoing. Once it’s clear that you knew it was wrong and you kept on that same position, it’s hard to excuse it as an accident or honest mistake anymore. That’s where the trouble happens.

Own your mistakes. Acknowledge your humanity and admit that you messed up. Do what you can to minimize the damage and correct your failing. Apologize. That is a much better recipe for future success and rehabilitation of relationships than continuing a facade of perfection.

Be human. That’s what everyone else wants you to be. Perfection is overrated.