Episode 89: Eating Crow: The Leadership Skill Nobody Wants to Practice

Nobody enjoys admitting they're wrong—but the best leaders know it's one of the most powerful things they can do.

In Episode 89 of Crossroad Conversations with the Lewis Brothers, Matt, Shelby, and Taylor tackle one of leadership's most uncomfortable but essential skills: eating crow. Whether it's making a bad business decision, misjudging an employee, or having to apologize to a customer, every leader eventually faces the moment when they have to own a mistake.

The conversation explores why so many leaders resist admitting they're wrong, how delaying an apology often makes the situation worse, and why vulnerability can actually strengthen—not weaken—your credibility. The brothers share personal experiences of decisions they wish they could take back, discuss how to admit mistakes without losing authority, and explain why your team is paying close attention to how you handle failure.

They also dive into customer relationships, discussing why a sincere apology and genuine accountability can transform a frustrated customer into one of your biggest advocates. From leadership lessons to real-world business stories, this episode offers practical advice for anyone responsible for leading people, building trust, or growing a business.

In this episode:

  • Why admitting you're wrong is one of the hardest leadership skills to master
  • The difference between privately knowing you made a mistake and publicly owning it
  • How accountability builds trust with your team
  • Why saying "I was wrong" doesn't diminish your authority—it strengthens it
  • When a business should apologize to a customer
  • Leadership lessons learned from difficult conversations and hard-earned mistakes
  • How humility can become one of your greatest competitive advantages

No leader gets every decision right. The leaders people remember are the ones who have the courage to own the ones they got wrong.

Listen now on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Buzzsprout, or wherever you enjoy podcasts.

Learn more:www.CrossroadConversationsPodcast.com

Lewis Automotive Group:www.LewisSuperstore.com