The Day We Unplugged The Computer at a NYC Hedge Fund

When I was around 28, I was working at a hedge fund in NYC — an intense, fast-paced environment where mistakes weren’t exactly welcomed.

One day, my coworker Clarissa, who was head of Investor Relations, told a story that stuck with me.

Her team had accidentally sent an email to all their investors — with the wrong numbers.

Cue panic.

They were frantically trying to recall the message. At one point, they even unplugged a computer hoping that would somehow stop it.

It was funny in hindsight. But Clarissa told it with a real weight, like,

“Oh boy… I messed up. I’m going to get in serious trouble.”

Trying to make her feel better, I said:
“Well, it wasn’t your fault, was it?”

What she said next floored me:

“It wasn’t my fault. But it was my responsibility.”

That was a defining moment for me.
I’ve carried that mindset ever since — not just in my career, but in how I lead my business and my community.

Mistakes will happen.
What matters is what you do next.
And who you become through it.

In a world full of finger-pointing, people who take responsibility — gracefully, clearly, and with integrity — stand out as true leaders.

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So what do you do when you make a mistake?

1. Take responsibility. Own it. No deflecting, no blaming.
2. Repair the harm. Whether it’s a refund, an apology, or a systems fix — make it right.
3. Model leadership. Know that people are watching — and you just gave them a masterclass in what true leadership looks like.

This is how we grow.
This is how we lead.
This is the way.

Laura Cowan

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