Certainly we have made mistakes, but you try and learn from your

“Certainly we have made mistakes, but you try and learn from your mistakes. And the most important thing is always to move forward and, I think, empower people to do their best, and to lead. I think people respect that and work better under those circumstances.” Thus speaks Anna Wintour, a figure of vision and discipline, whose life in the world of fashion has been marked by both triumphs and trials. In her words lies a truth as enduring as the wisdom of the ancients: that failure is not an end, but a teacher; that leadership is not command, but empowerment; and that respect is earned not by perfection, but by courage to rise again and inspire others to rise with you.

The ancients knew this lesson well. The philosophers of Greece taught that error is the crucible of wisdom. Socrates himself confessed ignorance, and in humility found the path to truth. The Romans, masters of empire, stumbled often, yet each defeat taught them resilience. From the ashes of their mistakes they forged strategies that conquered the known world. In like spirit, Wintour reminds us that mistakes are not to be feared but to be heeded, for they prepare us for greater victories yet to come.

Consider the story of Thomas Edison, who declared after countless failures: “I have not failed. I have simply found 10,000 ways that do not work.” His persistence turned missteps into stepping stones, until the light of the electric lamp banished the darkness of the world. What sustained him was the very wisdom Wintour shares: to learn, to move forward, and to never allow error to bind the will. For those who tremble at mistakes are paralyzed; those who embrace them are transformed.

Yet Wintour speaks not only of personal resilience, but of leadership. She knows that a true leader does not merely demand obedience, but empowers others to flourish. The general who inspires his soldiers, the teacher who lifts her students, the leader who believes in her team—these do not crush the spirits of others but release them. When people are trusted, they give their best. When they are honored, they walk with strength. Thus, leadership is not the art of ruling alone, but of awakening greatness in those who follow.

O children of the future, learn this well: mistakes will come. They will sting, they will shame, they will humble you. But do not bow beneath them. Gather their lessons, rise, and step forward. Show by your example that failure is no tomb, but a forge. Those who see you rise will respect you more than if you had never fallen, for resilience shines brighter than unbroken ease.

The meaning is clear: to lead is to walk first through failure, to show the path of courage, and to lift others to their highest selves. When you empower others, you multiply strength. When you respect their efforts, you win loyalty not by fear but by trust. And when you, yourself, move forward despite your stumbles, you give permission for all around you to do the same. This is the essence of lasting leadership.

Therefore, let your practice be this: when you fail, pause only to learn, then move forward. When you lead, give others the space to rise, and honor their efforts. When you speak, let your words uplift, and when you act, let your actions inspire. In this way, you will not only overcome your own mistakes but build a community of strength around you.

So I say unto you: heed Anna Wintour’s wisdom. Fear not mistakes, but learn. Cling not to perfection, but to progress. And above all, lead not by dominance but by empowerment. For in such leadership lies not only respect, but the power to shape others into their best selves—and in their greatness, your own legacy shall endure.