We all make mistakes, even the best of us. However, making a mistake at work could jeopardise not just us but our coworkers. Although, there are times when the mistakes at work could be petty, harmless and even little. The big truth is this: we all make mistakes even when we strive for perfection. But the actions we take next are what matter most.Read more about Career
Own It
In a world where many love to exercise their rights in the workspace, so they don’t look like failures, many people fail to take responsibility for their actions. The inability of many people to own it in the workplace whenever they make a mistake is not unusual. Further, the apparent fear of facing disciplinary actions has made many people lie and trade blames. But the best way to go and still keep your dignity intact is to own your mistakes and apologise. Don’t try to blame someone else, start deleting incriminating emails or ask someone to lie for you.
Remedy The Situation
Now that you have made a mistake in the workspace, what do you do next? Tell your superiors. This is the best way to get the quickest possible solution to your errors. Many make the mistake of keeping quiet and suffering in silence. Don’t make your superior find out himself. It might be more infuriating compared to when you own up and report to him. However, whether you are reporting immediately or later, process what led to the mistake and think out a possible solution. You can redeem yourself when you inform your boss of your mistake and then present a possible solution. Any reasonable boss will be glad you did even though he might be disappointed. Telling him what happened, the whole truth of it, and a plan of action to ameliorate the situation will mark you out as a responsible employee. He might even suggest a better idea.
Get Help
In the case where the mistake is a technical issue, seek technical support. Don’t fumble around trying to fix things yourself. For instance, you have mistakenly corrupted a file by using a virus-infected flash drive, seek support from tech-savvy coworkers or visit the technical support desk.Sign up to the Connect Nigeria daily newsletterIn a case, where the situation has to do with paperwork, you can ask colleagues for help. And in a situation, where the mistake affects the relationship between you and your coworkers, you can use an independent third party to broker a peaceful working relationship between you and the offended coworker.
Get On Track And Move On
You have indeed made a mistake, and you’re going to apologize to those who have been hurt by your blunder, whether it’s the coworker who will now have to work overtime to help you fix it or the manager who has to explain to his director what transpired. Yet it is not a time to sulk around and allow yourself wallow in regrets. The mistake has been made, you have apologized, and you’re attempting to remedy it, which is the hallmark of a true professional. Don’t keep admitting guilt or walking around with your head down, as that will give you an unsuitable prestige.A Final WordThe great idea behind mistakes is that they are often not deliberate. The key is to learn from it. Think about what you could have done differently to prevent it from happening again. Not only does this improve your performance, but the boss will certainly appreciate that you’re taking proactive steps to do your job better.Featured Image Source: The Info Global MagazineGot a suggestion? Contact us: editor@connectnigeria.com
