Duke University Leaders Share Personal Accounts of Past Errors to Foster Humility and Learning
Duke University recently hosted an event titled “What I Was Wrong About,” where prominent leaders, including General (Ret.) CQ Brown Jr., Provost Alec D. Gallimore, and Vice Provost for the Arts Deborah Rutter, shared personal stories of their past mistakes and the lessons learned. This event, part of the Provost’s Initiative on Pluralism, Free Inquiry, and Belonging, aimed to promote candid discussions about errors, hard-won insights, and intellectual humility within the university community. General Brown recounted a critical decision during his Air Force career where he prioritized “get-home-itis” over safety, leading to a dangerous situation for his squadron. Karen Frush, former chief patient safety officer, reflected on her initial belief that Duke’s collective intelligence could prevent human error, a belief shattered by a tragic patient death. Kavin Rowe, vice dean for faculty at Duke Divinity School, discussed how he misjudged the tone of his academic criticism. The event highlighted the importance... 
