"It's Okay to Be Wrong": Releasing the Shame of Mistakes
Before swapping suburbs for the city, I worked at a law firm known for its amazing work culture. One mantra ingrained in me: "It's okay to be wrong!" A mistake meant raising your hand, taking responsibility, and learning from it. No blame, no shame, just growth.
This was revolutionary. Growing up, "okay" and "mistakes" didn't coexist in my world. One accidental ink stain on my mom's car triggered a subtle message: perfection or disappointment.
As an adult, I see the flaw. I was a kid, figuring things out, growing, prone to messes. Yet, the message subtly said mistakes were forbidden, at the very stage when they're inevitable.
This ingrained fear of imperfection lingers. Learning that "it's okay to be wrong" has been, and continues to be, a powerful lesson. It's about:
- Taking responsibility: Owning up to mistakes, not hiding them.
- Learning: Viewing mistakes as opportunities to grow, not reasons for shame.
- Creating a safe space: Fostering an environment where people feel comfortable admitting errors and learning from them.
This lesson transcends work life. It's about self-compassion, understanding that growth comes with missteps, and embracing the freedom to learn and improve without fear of judgment.
NEAL LLOYD
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