This question centers on the leadership principle of 'Ownership.' "Leaders are owners. They think long term and don't sacrifice long-term value for short-term results." Making mistakes is human and a necessary part of taking calculated risks. Owning up to your mistakes and taking advantage of what can be learned from and applied to your professional growth exhibits leadership potential and that you, as a professional, take charge of your development. So don't feel as if confessing to a mistake you've made in the past is a sign of weakness. Look at it as how you ensured you never made that same mistake again, which shows strength of character. As Bezos once said, "A brand for a company is like a reputation for a person. You earn a reputation by trying to do hard things well."