You’ve made a mistake at work and it’s gone public. How can you save your professional reputation?

Antes de asumir un error, debes conocerte y saber quién eres. Esto es algo que aparentemente muchos pasan por alto al enfocarse en sus roles de gran responsabilidad, como si fueran dioses; un caso muy común entre los líderes de tiempos antiguos. Por eso, si reconoces que eres un ser humano normal, igual a todos, sabrás que experimentarás hambre, rabia, pena, alegría, felicidad, paz y tranquilidad. En resumen, eres un mar de emociones y situaciones. Muchas veces, estas emociones nos llevan a cometer errores o simplemente no nos damos cuenta de lo que hicimos. Por eso, es fundamental conocer tus limitaciones, pero no permitas que te limiten para crecer. Asume tu error, ya que este es parte del proceso de crecimiento.

So someone far smarter than me once said; "You make fewer mistakes with experience, but you only gain experience by making mistakes." This is a sentence that resonates with a vast majority of people at every stage. Its also a framework for handling your mistakes. When you make your mistakes, and you will, others can and will judge them. It is important to acknowledge that you did and I'd submit that its equally important to acknowledge that you will again.

Taking ownership of your mistakes goes a long way. If you refuse to own it, that will only make the situation worse. Getting ahead of the mistake as soon as possible is important. Let your team, boss, peers, and those affected know that you are sorry for the mistake and the results that it has caused. Work to take the proper corrective actions. Show them that it was a one-time thing and not your norm. Be open about the mistake and work to rebuild the trust that you lost.

Making mistakes is a test of humility that is very often an under-rated leadership and professional trait. If you have made a mistake and it has a negative impact on stakeholders both internal and external, here's a few pointers to note: 1) Acknowledge the area that went wrong and the specific consequence that resulted which you regret for. 2) Apologise but don't get overly apologetic as it sometimes may come across as insincere. 3) In accepting, admitting and acknowledging your mistakes; look towards a solution with a collaborative and empathetic mindset. After your apology; listen to what the others have to say and see how you can meet their needs and expectations from their perspective.

This is as basic as we teach kids. Recognize mistakes and offer help to fix them. As many times the ball you just dropped will not affect only your team, you might not be able to pull it back to you in time to fix it, but you certainly should offer a solution and assume it was your responsibility. I know nobody who has not made a mistake in any area, it would not be different at work. We must accept our vulnerability (as Brene Brown taught us) and move on, making sure this will add up to our experience and career instead of hurting your image.

Everyone makes mistakes, but successful people learn from these experiences and make the improvements to succeed in the future. After Action Reviews can be conducted by one person in addition to groups, teams, etc. Take the time to reflect on the experience and identify what was supposed to happen, what actually happened, what went well, what needs improvement, and how can it be done better the next time.

Emphasise the value of reflecting on the error, identifying the root cause, and implementing preventive measures to ensure continuous improvement. ?Imagine you make a mistake in a project by misinterpreting client requirements. Instead of solely fixing the immediate issue, take a proactive learning approach. ????Schedule a meeting with the client to gain deeper insights into their expectations and use this opportunity to enhance your understanding. ????Implement regular check-ins throughout the project to ensure alignment. This proactive learning not only corrects the mistake but also establishes a foundation for improved communication and a more robust client relationship.

Mistakes are inherent to human nature and serve as opportunities to showcase your problem-solving prowess. Take ownership by acknowledging yourself as the primary responsible party. Prioritize swift resolution and keep all involved parties informed at intervals relevant to the urgency of the situation. Maintain composure and unwavering focus throughout the resolution process. If necessary, seek assistance, demonstrating resourcefulness not only in rectifying the mistake but also in formulating and presenting preventive solutions to preclude recurrence.

Let's say you missed a critical project deadline, leading to a loss of trust. To rebuild it: ????consistently deliver exceptional work on subsequent projects, exceeding expectations. ????Actively seek colleague feedback and incorporate their input to demonstrate a commitment to improvement. ????Additionally, proactively communicate progress, ensuring transparency about timelines and potential challenges. ?This tangible effort and openness contribute to rebuilding trust through actions, not just words.

It is important to not dwell on the mistake and allow it to become who you are. Instead, own the mistake, take corrective actions, learn and grow from it, and then move on to prove who you are and what you are capable of. It happened and you cannot change that fact, but you can get busy writing the next chapter. Be more than your mistake.

Mistakes are fantastic starting points for learning and personal growth. Often people do not admit and apologise openly as they wish to "save face". This can even be a cultural context or simply working in an organisation where one does not feel psychologically safe in owning their mistakes. Own your mistakes but don't let the mistakes own you. Accept both successes and failures with maturity and dignity.