Has a subordinate ever successfully convinced you to change your mind in a disciplinary action. If so, was it a good choice later on?

I never changed my mind on a decision. Before making a decision, I would make sure to hear all sides of the story, review records for previous problems, confer with MY supervisor for advice and then I would make a decision. Changing your decision shows inconsistency and gives the impression that you can be a push over. If they claim it will ruin their career, then maybe they should have thought about that before. It is their actions alone that put them in such positions.

I had a maintenance troop E-4 back a pickup into a generator on the flightline. Mistake, not a crime. So, counseling, re-do the flightline driver's training CBT, and back in action. Two months later, truck into aircraft air stairs. I pull her in and tell her she's losing the flightline DL, done. She says this will kill her career because she effectively can't do her job if she can't drive on the flightline. So I relent...let her keep the DL, but "Golf Cart only". Not a month later, golf cart into hangar door. Sigh.