As a leader, you’re responsible for important decisions and, in many respects, the well being and growth of your team members. You are faced with many choices, and the more choices you have, the more opportunities there are for regret. Regrettable leadership, however, may not be such a bad thing.
According to the researchers at the Kellogg School of Management, regret is a negative emotion, but most people feel surprisingly good about it. They see the upside–the opportunity for positive change, in other words.
When people regret their actions, they know what they did wrong, and they often know what they should do should such an occasion arise in the future. They’re also motivated because they don’t want to experience that feeling of regret again.
Even if you’re a terrific motivator as a leader, regret is likely better. People prefer to follow their hearts and own instincts than to follow others.
Ask yourself and your team members, “What decisions do you regret, and why?”
