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How to recover after making a mistake at work

A survey of 2,000 workers reveals that one in five employees can remember making a critical on-the-job error. These mistakes include common blunders like “replying all” to a sensitive email with details meant for one set of eyes only, leaving private documents unguarded on a desk, or saying something awkward without muting yourself or before fully ending a call.

Sound familiar? Did anyone cringe while reading those examples?

Mistakes at the workplace are inevitable, but while making a mistake will not set you apart, how you handle it afterward will. When your journey from mishap to redemption is paved with integrity, transparency, proactive public relations, and problem-solving, you can gracefully recover and emerge stronger and more resilient.

We all remember our first embarrassing moment making a mistake. We are all human, and mistakes in the workplace are inevitable. Though it may feel like you’re under a spotlight when it happens, trust me — how you handle it can ultimately make you shine.

So, let’s look at some ways to recover from a mistake, misstep, or error.

Step 1: Acknowledge your mistake promptly

The first step is admitting and owning your mistake. An upfront acknowledgment demonstrates honesty and integrity. It might be tempting to ignore the issue, hoping it goes unnoticed, or to deflect the blame. Those approaches can backfire, damaging your credibility and trustworthiness.

Admitting and owning mistakes can have several immediate benefits. For one, people view leaders more positively when they admit their mistakes and are willing to learn from them. Additionally, when a leader has the courage and emotional intelligence to openly admit a mistake, it builds trust and rapport in teams often leading to better collaboration, creativity and communication.

Chances are that your mistake left you feeling frustrated and maybe even a bit embarrassed. If it affected your team, it might have caused some tension and made the work environment less supportive. To fix this and rebuild trust, make sure to give a genuine apology.

In the end, colleagues and managers need to see you own up to your mistake. The truth is that ignoring a bad decision or error in judgment at work can damage your personal brand and ultimately your career. If you brush it off, people will see you as someone who shirks responsibility, which isn’t a good look and can build a reputation that could decrease your chances of promotions or landing key projects down the line.

When you realize a mistake has been made, take a deep breath, gather your thoughts, and approach your manager and/or the affected parties. Be clear about what happened without making excuses or downplaying the mistake. Your honesty will be appreciated and can help lessen the impact of the error.

Step 2: Communicate openly to avoid misunderstandings

After acknowledging your mistake, open and transparent communication is critical. Misunderstandings can escalate a problem, leading to unnecessary complications and stress for everyone involved. 

Be prepared to explain what went wrong and why without dwelling on justifications or becoming defensive. This is also the time to listen actively to any feedback or instructions from your manager or team members.

Before this conversation, take a moment to assess the damage. Understanding the extent of the fallout will help you decide on your next move.

Once you know the situation, request a team meeting to discuss the issue. Use this opportunity to clarify misunderstandings, ensure everyone has the same information, and move forward. 

During the conversation, don’t hold anything back. Your full transparency and genuine delivery help maintain trust. Acknowledge feedback and criticism with grace, taking the discussion as an opportunity for professional development.

Step 3: Propose solutions proactively

As you process the mistake, start thinking about ways to fix or address the problems it caused. Before approaching your boss or team, think about potential steps you can take to mitigate the mistake or resources you might need. Be ready to outline actions you can take immediately and actions you will implement in the long term to prevent similar errors in the future. 

Taking responsibility for a mistake is commendable, and proposing ways to rectify the situation demonstrates initiative and commitment. Present your solutions confidently but humbly so that you remain open to input. Even if your suggestions are not ultimately implemented, the fact that you came prepared with ideas will reflect positively on you.

Moving forward: Learn from your mistake

We’ve all heard this before, but it’s true — every mistake is an opportunity to grow. Once the immediate aftermath has been dealt with and steps towards resolution are in place, focus on what you can learn from the experience. 

Reflect on why the mistake happened and what you can do differently in the future. Would it have helped to get someone else’s input beforehand? Would training or additional skills support you better? How can you reorganize your workload or schedule? Take a moment to reflect and be proactive in addressing what happened. 

Growth does not just come from mistakes. Every day, project, or interaction presents an opportunity to learn and grow. Regular self-reflection and seeking feedback from your leader, coworkers, mentor, or personal “board of advisors” are great practices to consider. Additionally, your experience is an opportunity for others to learn; colleagues, new hires, and emerging talent new to the workforce can learn from your mistakes as you can from theirs.

While uncomfortable, workplace mistakes don’t have to be career-altering if handled correctly. You can navigate these challenges gracefully by acknowledging your errors, communicating openly, and taking proactive steps toward resolution. Rebuilding trust with coworkers may take time and effort, but with dedication and the right approach and steps, you’ll come out stronger and more respected than ever.

Paul Bramson is an internationally acclaimed keynote speaker and elite professional trainer.