That Was Embarrassing...

By Paige Cohen, Senior Editor

I work remotely, and occasionally, I run into technology problems. A slow-loading video call. A frozen screen. A problem accessing the company intranet. Usually, the issues are quickly solvable and undisruptive. But there was one time—around a year ago—when something bigger happened.

I was in a meeting with a few important stakeholders throughout the organization. My job was to share a presentation updating them on a series of audience and editorial insights gathered by my team. About halfway through my slide deck, the screen-sharing feature cut out and I was unable to re-access it.

I felt myself break into a cold sweat as my flight-or-fight response took over. This is the natural human stress response we feel when we believe we’re in danger. When it sets in, our physical senses become sharper but our abilities to problem solve and practice sound judgement become impaired.

I stumbled through explaining the problem to the (very important) people staring back. There was an awkward silence before one of the attendees offered to share my presentation for me. Then another few minutes of scrambling while we got everything reset.

Luckily, I work in a safe environment with leaders who are understanding and empathetic. No one mentioned anything about what had happened following our call. Even so, the memory has stuck with me—because I didn’t know what to do. Making a mistake that no one can see is one thing. But what happens when we make one mid-performance? Especially when that performance is highly visible?

I recently edited an article that gave me some sound advice. Clinical performance psychologist Eric Potterat and executive communications consultant Alan Eagle recommend a strategy called “black boxing it.” Here’s how it works:

When you make a big mistake, and you feel flight or fight taking over, pause and picture a black box in your mind. Take a breath and visualize putting whatever got you off track into that black box. Literally, watch it go in. Now, intentionally redirect your focus back to the task at hand.

Potterat and Eagle, who work with elite performers across disciplines and fields from the U.S. NAVY Seals to the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team, explain that this tactic can be used to help people perform at their best in any circumstance. By compartmentalizing our mistakes, we’re able to think more clearly and move forward.

The next time you stumble, try it.

Here are a few more tips from our authors and editors about how to move through mistakes (of all kinds) at work.

Recommended Reads

4 Mistakes Everyone Makes at Work

Your mistakes are an opportunity for learning.

Read the full article.

How to Move Past an Embarrassing Moment at Work

The worst thing you can do is tear yourself down.

Read the full article.

So, You Dropped the Ball. How Do You Get Your Credibility Back?

When you’re new to the workforce, a big mistake can push you back to square one.

Read the full article.

Like what you just read??Our team of global editors shares personal stories and practical advice in a weekly version of this newsletter, sign up here!