How to Bounce Back from a Leadership Failure Without Losing Credibility

Ever had one of those leadership moments where you wished you could hit Ctrl + Z on a decision, a conversation, or an action?

Maybe you took a risk that didn’t pay off.

Maybe you mishandled a tough conversation.

Maybe you ignored a red flag until it became a full-blown crisis.

If you’ve ever been in a leadership role for any length of time, you’ve slipped, tripped, or fallen in some way. It’s inevitable.

But what separates exceptional leaders from the rest isn’t perfection—it’s their ability to recover with integrity.

The 3 Types of Leadership Stumbles

In my book, Small Brave Moves, I talk about three kinds of missteps leaders make:

🔹 Slips: Small mistakes—like an offhand comment that lands the wrong way or forgetting to follow up on a commitment.

🔹 Trips: Bigger stumbles—like missing a key deadline, failing to address conflict, or making a strategic miscalculation.

🔹 Falls: The major ones—breaches of trust, ethical lapses, or leadership decisions that result in significant consequences.

The good news? A stumble doesn’t define you—but how you handle it does.

Here’s how to bounce back without losing credibility (and maybe even gain some in the process).

1. Own It (Fast & Fully)

Leaders don’t lose credibility because they fail. They lose credibility when they deny, deflect, or disappear after failing.

If you’ve slipped or tripped, acknowledge it openly and early.

• Example: “I realize I didn’t listen fully before making that decision, and it impacted our team. That’s on me.”

For bigger falls, go beyond acknowledgment—show understanding of the impact.

• Example: “I misread the situation, and my decision caused unnecessary stress for the team. I see that now, and I want to make it right.”

Bravery isn’t about never making mistakes—it’s about having the courage to own them.

2. Make It Right

Owning a mistake is the first step, but rebuilding trust requires action.

Ask yourself:

✔️ What can I do to fix or mitigate the damage?

✔️ How can I prevent this from happening again?

✔️ What do the people affected need from me?

For a slip, a simple acknowledgment might be enough.

For a trip, you may need to adjust your process or involve others.

For a fall, a full leadership recalibration might be necessary.

Example: If you neglected to give credit where it was due, don’t just apologize—publicly recognize the person whose work was overlooked.

3. Turn the Lesson Into a Strength

Some of the best leadership growth comes from mistakes—if you reflect and apply the lesson.

Ask yourself:

• What did this mistake reveal about my leadership blind spots?

• How can I integrate this lesson into my decision-making?

• Who can I share this with so they can learn from it too?

The strongest leaders don’t just recover—they use failure as a springboard for wisdom.

4. Move On with Confidence

Once you’ve owned it, made it right, and learned the lesson—stop carrying the weight of the mistake.

Lingering self-doubt, over-explaining, or leading from guilt can be just as damaging as the mistake itself.

Lead forward. People don’t expect perfection—they expect honesty, growth, and resilience.

Final Thought: The Bravest Leaders Stumble, Learn, and Keep Going

If you’re afraid of failing, you’re likely playing it too safe.

Leaders who never slip might not be taking enough bold action.

Leaders who never trip might not be making necessary decisions.

Leaders who never fall might be avoiding the tough, transformative moments that ultimately shape them.

So next time you find yourself stumbling, remember:

It’s not about if you fall—it’s about how bravely you get back up.