What Not to Do If You Screw up at Work
We all make mistakes, but knowing how to actually overcome them is a highly underrated skill. We recently covered how to save your career after failing at work , but what about what not to do right after you make a mistake? Especially when it comes to the workplace, what you do – and what you don’t – after your mistake can decide or destroy its meaning.
Don’t let a little misstep turn into something you can’t stop turning over and over in your head all night long. Here’s what not to do to make your mistake at work even worse so you can make amends and move on with your life.
First: don’t lose your cool
The fastest way to lose control of a mistake is to lose perspective.
No matter how you feel in the heat of the moment, chances are your mistake is not the end of the world. Of course, the concept of “end of the world” is relative. A mistake at work will look a little different depending on whether you’re a public relations rep, a delivery man, or a surgeon. (Though in some working conditions, sending an email seems like open-heart surgery.)
Take a deep breath and think about the consequences of this mistake in both the short and long term. Things to consider before worrying accordingly:
- How easy is it to fix?
- Who is affected immediately? Clients, clients, team members?
- Will this have long-term consequences, or are you feeling disproportionate panic at the moment?
- Has anyone else made this mistake before (who can help you and understand)?
- How does this error fit in with your current work?
Another classic critical insight trick is to ask yourself: How would you feel if a colleague made this mistake instead of you? Put yourself in someone else’s shoes before spinning.
Don’t Overdo Apologies
The instinct to apologize is good. However, over-apologizing can do more harm than good . Instead, acknowledge your mistakes through understanding and focus on them. Try to include your plan for fixing the situation in your apology. Then be ready to stop talking about it (even if you’re still obsessed internally). Think of “solutions” rather than “sorry, sorry, sorry.”
Don’t try to hide the mistake
While over-apologising can be annoying, it’s far worse to go too far in the opposite direction. If you are trying to delay or prevent others from discovering your oversight, you are protecting your pride at the expense of the bigger picture. Don’t let your ego get in the way of solving the problem as soon as possible.
Transparency is key. If you’re struggling to talk about a mistake, you might want to learn how to ask for help at work when you need it.
Don’t repeat the same mistake
It sounds obvious, but the meaning of ” we all make mistakes ” should be ” … and so we all need to learn from them. Don’t let random slips become a pattern of behavior.
The best way to deal with a mistake is to take steps to prevent it from happening again. Use the stress of a mistake as a powerful motivator to be at the top of your game in the future.
Don’t beat yourself up
The takeaway from all this advice is to get out of your own head. It’s all too easy to dwell on your mistakes, but it’s this mindset that will keep you awake at night. Try practicing compassion for yourself by channeling your energy from obsessing over a problem to finding a solution. Try not to repeat the same mistake again, and then allow yourself to move on.