7 Leadership Mistakes CEOs Wish They Could Undo

Even the most successful CEOs can point to leadership mistakes they wish they could undo. But what sets great leaders apart isn’t the absence of mistakes; it’s how they respond to them. I’ve noticed that the most effective leaders approach regret with humility, using it as a tool to improve their decision-making, sharpen their judgment, and hone their leadership skills.

Here are 7 leadership mistakes CEOs regret — and the lessons they learned.

Leadership Mistake No. 1: Not being present

Many CEOs regret how they spend their time. When they are at work, they think about what they should be doing at home. At home, they think about work. As they juggle the demands of leading a business, they often find it difficult to carve out enough time with their loved ones. Eventually, leaders learn that it matters most that they are fully present — whether they are with friends, family, or in a business meeting. They strive to be intentional with their time and prioritize what matters most, both professionally and personally. Being a whole person allows them to show up as their best selves at home and in the office each day.

Leadership Mistake No. 2: Getting Stuck in the Weeds

Another leadership mistake is spending too much time working “in” the day-to-day details of the business instead of “on” business strategy that leads to more opportunities for growth. The best leaders know that when they fixate on execution rather than on delegation, they forfeit strategic work only they can do, such as scouting new opportunities, setting direction, and developing top talent.

Leadership Mistake No. 3: Not Acting Faster on People Issues

Another recurring regret among CEOs is waiting too long to act on people issues. Even if it’s evident early on that an employee is not a right fit, leaders often take too long to act on it. This can put the organization’s operations and culture at risk. It can also jeopardize the leader’s credibility for failing to make a tough call. The most successful CEOs make personnel decisions that align with their culture, even when it’s hard.

Leadership Mistake No. 4: Making Decisions in Isolation

Ego can lead CEOs to think they need to make decisions on their own — another leadership mistake. But making decisions in isolation almost always ends in regret. The most strategic decision-makers create time and space for feedback, not just from those they know will agree with them. Hearing diverse perspectives from people who will challenge their ideas ultimately helps CEOs make decisions with confidence.

Leaders who join communities — whether it’s a peer advisory group or something less formal — can learn from peers who have walked in their shoes. As the business environment rapidly changes, it’s especially important to gather feedback from those on the front lines with customers. That ensures the company can pivot quickly as customers’ needs evolve.

Leadership Mistake No. 5: Avoiding Risk Altogether

The most common regret I hear from CEOs is about not taking a risk. CEOs regret what they didn’t do and the decisions they didn’t double down on. Rather than being paralyzed, high-performing CEOs recognize that there is often more than one right answer. They move forward after a disciplined risk assessment: Do the homework, quantify the downside, set clear guardrails, and then act. Once a decision is made, they fully commit.

When CEOs take ownership, they’re going to find a way to turn it into the right decision. If there is a solid contingency plan in place, they know a bold move that fails is typically less damaging than making no move at all. And if they need to pivot, they look at it as a learning opportunity that will help the company adapt to the next big move.

Leadership Mistake No. 6: Justifying Decisions that Don’t Align with Core Values

Decisions that compromise organizational values erode company culture. It can be easy to align actions with core values when the business is doing well. But even when things get hard — or the tides change — the best leaders don’t abandon ship. They hold true to their values. Great leaders align every decision to their organization’s mission, vision, purpose, and values. This also means ensuring all the leaders on the executive team align their actions with the strategy.

Leadership Mistake No. 7: Covering Up Mistakes

How CEOs act after a mistake often matters more than the mistake itself. Great CEOs know that owning decisions and accepting accountability preserves trust and enables faster course-correction. They take responsibility by reflecting on their decision-making, evaluating the outcomes, and analyzing the circumstances surrounding the bad decision. When a mistake has been made, they focus less on justification and more on correction and accountability.

The best CEOs learn from their leadership mistakes and use that regret to sharpen their judgment and make better decisions in the future. But doing so requires discipline: soliciting tough feedback, owning mistakes, and turning failures into learning opportunities. Leaders who do this consistently will build stronger decision-making skills, ultimately leading to better leadership performance.

This story first appeared in Entrepreneur.

0 views