How To Be Wrong

How to Recover When You’re Wrong

It can really suck to be wrong—and it can feel even worse when someone else points out that you’re wrong. As soon as you realize it, your presence can take a hit in a couple of ways. You might spiral into self-criticism—“What’s wrong with me?”—or you might get defensive and push back. Both reactions are natural, but both get in the way of real communication and problem-solving.

So let’s talk about two things you can do when you’ve made a mistake, and it’s out in the open.

1. Step Out of the “Main Character” Role

When you make a mistake, it’s easy to feel like the whole story revolves around you—because, after all, you’re the one who made the mistake. But what if you zoomed out and looked at the bigger picture? What if you viewed it from an “us” perspective instead of a “me” perspective?

Try seeing the situation as something that affects the whole team, not just you. That shift helps you detach from self-blame and start focusing on solutions. Mistakes happen in systems—and if you think about how the team or project as a whole can adjust, it creates a sense of shared ownership and collective problem-solving.

2. Focus on the Situation, Not the Shame

Once you take your ego out of the equation, you can look at what really matters: the situation itself. Who’s affected? What needs to happen next? How do we make this better for everyone involved?

That mindset opens up room for freedom where you might have felt trapped before. Instead of getting stuck defending yourself—or punishing yourself—you’re leading a process of repair and improvement. You’re contributing to the team’s resilience instead of retreating into guilt or resistance.

The Takeaway

When you make a mistake, don’t make it about your worth. Make it about what happens next. Acknowledge it, own it, and then broaden your view. Look at the whole system, not just your role in it. That’s how you turn being wrong into a moment of leadership and presence.