Mistakes I Made
- Andrew Ledgerton-Lynch OBE
- Apr 4
- 4 min read
CEO and Founder Andrew Ledgerton-Lynch OBE reflects on an error-strewn life, which at least makes storytelling more interesting
As the current US President holds the world’s economy to ransom with his version of Russian Roulette, it made me reflect upon mistakes I’ve made, which have been many.
Fortunately, as with most adults and leaders, I’ve learned to grow, to move on from past mistakes and flourish not in spite of them, but because of them. The man I am today is no way due to God-given talent, any form of natural ability or a flair for this or that. It is purely down to drive and determination, imagination and compassion, and an unwavering dedication to get up and get on with it, as my old man would have said.
For as long as I remember I’ve adopted the ‘If not this way, then how? If not now, then when?’ creed and it has served well. It has been reinforced by not repeating the same mistakes over and over, seeking alternative approaches and diversifying thoughts and actions to achieve different results.
“It would take decades before I discovered Socrates gently tapping me on the shoulder and advising me that I too know nothing”
In my early days in the publishing world, I was advised by a publisher that for every 20 ideas, only one may come off, but if it does, whey-hey! The space to search for creativity is a rare commodity these days but the ethos still rings true. In fact, finding space, reworking ideas, taking different slants or leaning into spontaneous depths is well worth taking the time out from everyday stresses, such as listening to the news.
I often cite a plethora of minor mistakes as being the force that thrusts me forward, something akin to a trickle of water, commencing at the earliest age, growing to a stream and reaching tidal wave proportions by the time I reached adulthood. As with many young adulthoods, by that time I thought I knew it all. Alas, the rug was well and truly pulled during that existential crisis phase when I realised I was only just beginning. A whole catalogue of errors would ensue, leading to something of a hall of mirrors of failure.
It would take decades before I discovered Socrates gently tapping me on the shoulder and advising me that I too know nothing. Now I’m not even sure I know that and I’m happier for it.
If that sounds overtly self-critical and nihilistic it does because it is. On the bright side, every misstep and wheel wrecking pothole became an opportunity to progress, to grow and to shine a light on new ventures and opportunities.
“Through the vortex of mistakes and minor mishaps there comes a recognition of base values, driving instincts and empowering beliefs”
Making mistakes is the one necessary ingredient to progress – the most essential component I would argue – an absolutely fundamental building block for change. Without it, the compulsion to continue as is becomes overwhelming and addictive. To be set in your ways may be a fine thing if you are living in your own utopia, resplendent in wisdom and assured as the setting sun, but for the rest of us, it marks are doom.
Reflecting on a course I deliver for senior leaders, I was surprised by how much negative language I used: “Don’t do it like this! Don’t make this mistake! Don’t do that! Don’t even think of taking this approach…” falling somewhat into the parenting trap. However, there is method to the madness, not least in allowing the failures to take place in a safe environment. Whilst there is a time and a place for perfect practice – see other blogs for my thoughts on outliers and modelling excellence – initially, a rites of passage is required to worm out all those niggling errors that when writ large in the real world can spell catastrophe.
But it is not just a case of ironing out all the minor inadequacies and tiny errors – they will persist as long as we remain imperfect as a species – it is about recognising the current, knowing when the tide has turned and a calamity is about to encroach.
Through the vortex of mistakes and minor mishaps there comes a recognition of base values, driving instincts and empowering beliefs. Once they are steadied, aligned to the aims and objectives and a broader purpose, then the conviction to grow, cohesively, collaboratively and progressively overcomes all obstacles, including minor mistakes.
This experiential learning curve, one which we all undertake but seldom take the time to try and understand, is one of the most constructive and instructive insights available to humanity. As a bonus, when you shine a light on yourself it also avails the opportunity to see charlatans and pretenders for what they are.
“This experiential learning curve, one which we all undertake but seldom take the time to try and understand, is one of the most constructive and instructive insights available to humanity”
When they get to a position of leverage and influence, the mindful, progressive leaders leave destructive tendencies in their wake, and whilst maintaining a very human high capacity for cock-up, they are minor peccadillos, error-strewn pollen on the breeze. As surely as a child matures into adolescence and adulthood without needing nappies, with no further recourse for rattle and a dummy or the need to be hand fed by carers, so intelligent leaders forsake hubris and arrogance, self-promotion and vanity, hatred and malice.
There are myriad mistakes I made and many more to come but none will carry the forethought of devilment, hopefully ceding instead to worthier virtues in the hope of sharing a kinder world. If that be the case then all the mistakes I made were well and truly worth it.