When you share your thinking publicly, you also share your mistakes. You say something with confidence and later learn more. You recommend an approach and discover its limits.
It’s uncomfortable. It’s also the most honest way to learn.
Why being wrong in public is hard
We equate expertise with being right, especially in fields built on trust. Financial services is one of them. Admitting an error can feel like an admission that you’re not credible.
Why it’s still worth it
It models honesty. People learn more from seeing you update your view than from seeing you defend it.
It speeds learning. Feedback arrives faster when others can see and challenge your thinking.
It builds a better kind of trust. Not “this person is never wrong,” but “this person tells the truth when they are.”
How to be wrong well
- Say it plainly. “I got this wrong.” No excuses, no long preamble.
- Say what changed your mind. A fact, a conversation, a new experience.
- Say what you’ll do differently. One specific change.
- Thank whoever helped. Correction is a gift.
- Don’t over-apologise. A clear correction is enough.
When it’s about money
Mistakes in finance have real consequences, so the standards are higher. Check facts before publishing. Distinguish what you know from what you think. Label opinions as opinions.
For your own life
You don’t have to publish anything to practise this. Tell your partner you changed your mind about a financial decision. Tell your team you updated an approach. Show that revision is normal.
A habit to try
Once a month, ask: “What did I believe a year ago that I no longer do?” Write it down. It will probably be a longer list than you expect.
Being wrong isn’t the opposite of being credible. Refusing to learn is.