Learning Lessons from Owning Our Mistakes

Yesterday I messed up. Not in a catastrophic way, but in a way that matters—and in a way I think many of us can relate to.

Leadership asked for a quick analysis. Instead of focusing on the immediate request, I second-guessed what they might ask next, expanded the scope, and forgot the original need. On top of that, I skipped one of my own rules: never send without validating.

For me, validating my own work means stepping away for a bit and coming back with fresh eyes (even if those eyes currently have their vision filtered through a gas bubble). This time, I sent the analysis before validating it, intending to circle back before the presentation. Unfortunately, I got delayed, and by the time I discovered the error, it was too late to fix.

Here’s what the experience reinforced for me:

1. When you’re asked to put out a fire, put out the fire. Then figure out what comes next.
2. Don’t hit send until you’ve validated—or at least make it clear the numbers are draft until they’re checked.

What went right? As soon as I realized the mistake, I communicated. That transparency allowed my boss to remind me of the original ask—something simple that took less than five minutes. Because I spoke up at 8 PM and have a boss who believes getting done is more important than apportioning blame, we delivered on time.

I don’t share this for public shaming. Mistakes happen. I share it because we don’t talk about these kinds of misses enough. And when we don’t talk about them, we don’t learn from them.

So here’s my encouragement: own your misses out loud. Normalize it. By doing so, you might give someone else the permission they need to share, learn, and grow, too.