Being an effective leader involves recognising it’s impossible to be right all the time.

Constructive conflict should be embraced in business. In fact, sometimes “no” is ultimately more useful than ‘yes”. The best managers and leaders in the business world, seek and accept critical feedback from trusted colleagues to maintain a balanced perspective.

Recognising that they won’t always be correct allows leaders to foster a culture of openness, collaboration, and innovation. When leaders are willing to admit mistakes, they create an environment where team members feel comfortable sharing ideas, taking risks, and learning from failure. This freedom can drive innovation and continuous improvement across the whole firm.

If a leader strives to always be right, they may inadvertently stifle this environment, resulting in micromanagement and reduced employee engagement. Teams can become less empowered to experiment and grow, which limits the organisation’s ability to adapt to new challenges or opportunities.

Leaders who can admit when they are wrong demonstrate humility and authenticity. These are key traits that strengthen trust and respect within teams. Employees are more likely to respect and connect with leaders who are human and relatable, as opposed to those who project an image of infallibility.

A leader who can acknowledge their mistakes fosters stronger, more genuine relationships, encouraging a supportive workplace culture. This also enables quicker course correction, as leaders who can recognise their missteps are more willing to adjust their strategies or change direction before problems escalate.

Leaders who accept that they cannot always be right cultivate a more resilient, adaptive, and innovative organisational culture.

By placing value on learning, collaboration, and growth over perfection, these leaders build stronger, more dynamic teams that are better equipped to handle challenges, adapt to changing conditions, and achieve long-term success.

This ultimately contributes to a more sustainable and forward-thinking business.

Read more: Situational leadership and how it can improve your management skills