Making a mistake at work can feel like the end of the world. While it can be tempting to hide the problem to save face, it is crucial to accept responsibility and deal with the ramifications. The sooner you admit to your mistake, the easier it is to minimize the impact on the company.
When you realize that you've made a mistake at work, take a small amount of time to assess the damage. How far has the problem spread? How has it affected the company? Quantify the situation using the amount of money lost, clients impacted or resources wasted. That way, when you speak to your supervisor, you can answer his questions and help him understand the scope of the problem.
Consider also the potential solutions for your mistake at work. Come up with a list of ways to rectify the problem, taking care to place as much of the workload as possible on your own shoulders. Focus on options that minimize further financial loss for the company. If your mistake caused public embarrassment for the business, look for ways to improve its image. Note where you'll need support from other people.
As soon as possible after you make a mistake at work, meet with your boss to explain the situation. Lay out the problem in straightforward terms and present your list of solutions. Apologize for your role in the problem but avoid the temptation to get emotional. Most importantly, do not lay blame on anyone else in the company, even if they share responsibility; doing so will only make you look petty. Simply accept responsibility for your actions and move on. In the process, you'll build trust by letting your team know that you won't throw them under the bus.
Once your boss knows about the situation, take action quickly to resolve the problem. Work late, come in early or sacrifice your weekend — whatever it takes. Make every effort to fix the problem in as little time as possible. The sooner you do, the sooner people will begin to forget about the problem.
Perhaps the most important part of taking responsibility for a mistake at work is finding ways to avoid similar problems in the future. Examine the conditions and actions that led to the issue and fix them. Whenever possible, take steps to correct problematic behavior, both for yourself and for your team. Conduct additional training to ensure that everyone is implementing best practices in their individual work flows. Doing so will demonstrate improvement and show your boss that you are dedicated to quality.
When you make a mistake at work, it can feel like you have failed. Mistakes are an inevitable part of the learning process; by taking responsibility and learning from the problem, you can become a stronger and more effective employee.
Image courtesy of franky242 at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
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