How Mistakes Make Us Better

A lesson in transparency, growth and team culture at CircleSpace

Last week, something happened at CircleSpace that might sound like every developer’s worst nightmare: a tiny, almost imperceptible mistake in a SQL query accidentally wiped out key production metrics. What followed was an 8-hour scramble to restore 58 million records. But what could have been a chaotic and finger-pointing disaster turned into a powerful story about trust, accountability, and the kind of workplace culture we’re building at CircleSpace.

What Went Wrong and What Went Right

The mistake was simple and human: a single word in a routine query swapped out during an upgrade. It caused production metrics to disappear, but here’s where it gets interesting: the developer immediately owned up to the error. They openly admitted what had happened, detailed the steps they had taken, and proposed solutions to prevent it from happening again.

Thanks to our robust backup systems, no data was ultimately lost. We were able to restore the records in full, which meant the impact on our users was minimal. The team rallied, learned from the experience, and walked away with new safeguards, deeper trust, and even a bit of humor about beards and mutton chops.

Mistakes happen. The question isn’t whether they will occur; it’s how a team responds to them. And at CircleSpace, this response embodies what we value most: transparency, collaboration, and a focus on learning rather than blame.

A Workplace That Values Mistakes

Frederic Laloux, in his book Reinventing Organizations, talks about creating workplaces where people can bring their whole selves, flaws, quirks, and all. He highlights the importance of psychological safety: an environment where mistakes aren’t met with shame or fear but with curiosity and growth.

Our team’s reaction to this incident felt like something straight out of Laloux’s vision. Developers mentioned they felt reassured by how the situation was handled, knowing that it’s okay to make mistakes as long as we learn from them. They appreciated the transparency with which the issue was communicated, not just internally in the development team but in how our we shared the story with the rest of the team.

Transparency builds trust, and trust allows people to innovate without fear of failure. When teams are free to admit their errors, they’re also free to explore, experiment, and push boundaries. At CircleSpace, that’s the kind of culture we aim for: one where people know their contributions—and their mistakes—are part of a bigger picture of growth.

What This Says About Us

Incidents like this aren’t just about database recovery, they’re a microcosm of our workplace culture. At CircleSpace, we’re building a company where:

• Transparency is the Default: Mistakes are shared openly, not hidden or downplayed.
• Psychological Safety is a Priority: People feel supported to take responsibility without fear.
• Learning Never Stops: Every challenge is an opportunity to grow stronger and smarter as a team.

Why This Matters

Creating a workplace like this doesn’t just make people feel good; it drives results. When teams trust each other and feel safe to innovate, they move faster, collaborate better, and adapt more effectively to challenges. At CircleSpace, we’re not just fixing databases, we’re building the kind of environment where people and ideas can thrive.

Last week’s mistake was a hiccup, sure. But it was also a reminder of the kind of company we’re creating: one where even errors lead to something better.