As Jim Collins has written, leaders look in a mirror when mistakes happen and look out a window when good things happen.
Taking responsibility shows your character, so if you or your team has dropped the ball, own up to it. Skip the sackcloth and self-flogging, though, and move right into the solutions phase. And be sure to take the time to listen to others. If you sense a miscommunication has occurred, restate what the person has said to make sure you understand the issue correctly.
Tom’s Takeaway: When mistakes happen, and they will, own them.