The Power of Talking About Shameful Mistakes
- Johanna Karlström
- Feb 26
- 2 min read
A while ago, something really bad happened to me. I got scammed online, and to make a long story short, I lost a painful amount of money.
In conversations with my bank, the police, and my family, I was met with nothing but kindness. Yet, I still felt incredibly stupid for walking right into it. The more I talked about it, though, the more I realized—this happens every day to so many people! And yet, few people talk about it.
I understand why. It’s a trauma. You blame yourself. You feel like you should have known better. This kind of thinking often stops people from taking the necessary steps to mitigate the damage. Worse, not even speaking about it with close friends or family can lead to serious mental struggles.
Why We Should Talking About Shameful Mistakes At Work
How often does this happen in the workplace? Someone makes a mistake but doesn’t dare to speak up because they’re afraid of being humiliated. They don’t want to lose face in front of their team.
When I worked with safety culture in the maritime industry, this was exactly why small incidents could turn into real accidents. Crew members hesitated to admit mistakes—especially in front of higher-ups like the captain. And yet, speaking up could have prevented disasters.
The truth is, openness about mistakes isn’t just an individual choice—it’s something that must be built into a group’s culture.
Leadership and the Role of Psychological Safety
As a leader, you need to model the behavior of talking about mistakes and making it normal. Yes, it can feel awkward. Yes, someone might judge you. But more often than not, the opposite happens.
Research shows that leaders who dare to be imperfect and show their flaws are actually more liked, respected, and trusted. And when employees feel safe enough to speak up about mistakes, they can prevent even bigger failures.
Three Key Takeaways From My Own Mistake
It’s safe to fail. Not one person has called me stupid, even though I felt that way at first.
Silence isn’t just bad for businesses—it’s harmful to people. This week, I realized just how much individuals suffer when fear keeps them from speaking up.
Success isn’t just about achievements—it’s about resilience. How you handle setbacks and the strength of the network that supports you are what truly matter.
Encouraging a Culture of Openness
Mistakes will happen—it’s inevitable. But as a leader, you have the power to create an environment where people feel safe talking about shameful mistakes and learn from them. How can you support your team in speaking up, even when they feel ashamed?
