WhenMaking Mistakes at WorkWhat to Do?
Many people encounter various mistakes at different stages of their lives. In many situations, you can correct your errors or forget about them and continue your work.
Sometimes, making a mistake at work can be serious and may cost you a lot. It can also have significant effects on the nature of your job. For example, a mistake in handling a customer might cause you to lose many clients, which can be very costly. Therefore, in this section ofSelMagzwe will explain what actions to take after you make mistakes at work.
The Best Behavior After Making a Mistake at Work
Accept Your Mistake
When you realize you’ve made a mistake, it’s best to share it with your boss as soon as possible. If your mistake is minor and doesn’t significantly affect anyone’s work, and you can resolve it before others notice, it may be okay to keep it to yourself. Otherwise, hiding a mistake is not the right approach.
Inform Your Boss of Your Plan to Correct Your Mistake
After making a mistake, you may have a plan in mind to fix it effectively. It’s a good idea to share this plan with your boss. This may make your mistake seem smaller and show that the issue is solvable.
Don’t Point Fingers at Others
When working as a team, everyone is responsible for their own mistakes. While others’ mistakes may impact your work, you should be cautious and focus on your own responsibilities. So, it’s better to acknowledge your mistake and not blame others.
Apologize but Don’t Demean Yourself
As mentioned before on SelMagz, there is a big difference between taking responsibility and demeaning oneself. You should acknowledge your mistake, but do not criticize yourself excessively in front of others. If you draw too much attention to your error, it will stick in others’ minds. Instead, shift the focus, especially your boss’s, toward the actions taken after the mistake.
If Possible, Fix the Mistake After Work
If you can stay after work hours and rectify the mistake promptly, do so. You could also use your lunch or break time to solve it faster. However, in some situations, this may not be feasible. In such cases, discuss with your boss to allow you some extra time at work to resolve the issue quickly.