When Things Go Wrong at Work

Hi there, welcome to Work Wise! My name’s Octavia Goredema.

I’m the CEO of Fire Memos, the author of Prep, Push, Pivot and the host of the Audible Original series How To Change Careers.

Every week I share insights and actionable steps to help you do your best work and achieve your career goals.

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What’s the worst thing that’s happened to you at work?

Whether it’s a missed deadline, a failed project, or a major miscommunication with a coworker, when things go wrong at work it’s stressful. When you’re busy working, dealing with setbacks, obstacles and challenging situations are inevitable, but it doesn’t make it easy.

In the aftermath of a setback, it can be hard to pick yourself back up. Here are ways you can respond to a setback and start to move forward.

Do Your Best to Stay Calm

When things go wrong at work, a reflex reaction is often to stress or panic. It's important to take a moment to breathe and stay calm. Reflect on what went wrong and why. Understanding the root cause of the issue can help you address it more effectively.

Seek Actionable Feedback

After a setback, seek constructive feedback from your coworkers or supervisors. Their insights can provide a different perspective on the situation and offer guidance on how to improve. This feedback can also help you identify any potential blind spots.

Develop a Plan

Once you understand the cause of the setback, develop a plan to address it. This may involve revisiting your project timeline, improving communication strategies, or making an adjustment to a process. Having a clear plan helps you stay focused and proactive in rectifying the issue.

Communicate Openly

Transparent communication is key when dealing with professional setbacks. Inform relevant stakeholders about the issue, your plan to address it, and any support you might need. This shows accountability, professionalism and can help foster a supportive work environment.

Identify the Key Learnings

Adopting a growth mindset allows you to view setbacks as opportunities for learning and development. This perspective encourages resilience and persistence, which are essential for long-term career success.

Create a habit of documenting the lessons you learn from setbacks. We all make mistakes. It's what we do next that really matters. Reflecting on the lessons reinforces your personal growth. ?

Remember Your Previous Achievements

When dealing with tough times, make a habit of reflecting on previous achievements at work. When things go wrong it can be easy to spiral. Instead, remember what you’ve done well in the past.

Think about professional moments you’re proud of, the skills you used to achieve those results, and how you’ve overcome challenges in the past.

At Fire Memos, our AI powered career coach asks thoughtful questions about the skills you used for each accomplishment and the impact of your biggest achievements. This serves as an essential reminder of your capabilities and will remind you of your resilience.

Whatever went wrong in this moment at work won’t define you forever. It’s just part of the ups and downs of building a career. Growth is often bumpy.

Remember, in the near future you’ll look back on what you learned from the tough times and those experiences will help you do even greater things.

-Octavia

How do you deal with setbacks at work? I read and respond to every single comment, so if you have an insight to share, or a question for me, let me know below.

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