We all make mistakes, right? But when you’re in a leadership position, your bad decisions are often on display for all to see. For example, if you encourage your association to start a camp or clinic to help earn extra funds and your group loses money on the endeavor, you’re in the hot seat. So how do you recover after leading your association down the wrong path?
Have a good track record.
All great leaders have made a mistake sometime along the way. The best way to encourage members to forgive and forget is by pointing out your solid reputation — what you’ve done in the past. If you have built respect from members over months or years, they will be more understanding when a decision doesn’t work out.
Accept responsibility for the error.
The only thing worse than making a mistake is making excuses for it or casting the blame to others. Own up for your decisions. Accept responsibility and apologize for messing up. That will earn respect.
Learn your lesson.
So you tried to incorporate more members as speakers and the ones you selected were terrible. Learn from your mistake. In the future, find out if a member has past speaking experience or work closely with a member on his or her presentation to ensure it will be successful. Learn and move on. Those are signs of a good leader.
Be open to other suggestions.
Sometimes the best way to follow up a poor decision is to not make another decision right away. Step back and get suggestions from other members. Use their input and ideas.
Make up for your mistake.
While you might want to wait a short time before pushing another of your ideas, you have to move forward at some point. And members will want you to keep leading. Make up for your error by pursuing another idea and working to make sure it is successful. You’ll regain member support and you’ll improve your confidence.
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