Mistakes happen all the time, and although they can be embarrassing, you can recover from them.
Whether the mistake was minor or costly, handling the error with professionalism can save your dignity and credibility. Next time you forget to hit send on that important email, rest assured you can recover quickly by adopting the following tips:
Gain some perspective
It is only natural to feel ashamed or distressed when you make a mistake at work but looking at the mistake in a broader context can help you let go of these negative emotions. Most mistakes, unless they are life-threatening, can be corrected so forgive yourself and move on. Instead of wallowing, look at ways to rectify your mistake immediately.
Acknowledge and apologise
If your mistake has affected someone else or negatively impacted the business, acknowledge your wrong doings and apologise. Admitting you made the mistake shows self-awareness, responsibility and accountability. Try to avoid justifying your actions or over-apologising.
Restore trust
The best way to show you care about what has happened is by learning from it and ensuring it does not happen again. Correct the mistake as soon as you can and evaluate what you can do differently next time. If you continue to deliver great work, more often than not your mistake will be forgotten about.
