While it’s only natural to want to do your best at work – we all make mistakes from time to time. In fact, “research suggests that regardless of the activity or task, humans make 3 to 6 errors per hour.” While workplace errors can range in severity, it’s important that you know how to respond when these situations arise. With that in mind, here are some simple steps to follow whenever you make a mistake at work.
1. Stay calm
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by stress and anxiety whenever you make a mistake, likely as you begin to wonder about the potential repercussions. However, this will impact your responsibility to respond appropriately, meaning you could actually make more mistakes when trying to undo the original error. For example, “people were 37% more likely to have lower cognitive function when they had elevated stress.” Staying calm will help you to figure out your next step without feeling overwhelmed. As a result, take a step back the moment you realize what you have done and try some calming exercises.
2. Rely on your resources
As you begin the process of rectifying your mistake, think about the wealth of resources you have at your disposal that you can rely on. For example, if you work within the medical field, you should already have some form of malpractice protection in place. This means that you can reach out to your provider to find out more about your medical liability coverage, or to find out whether or not you need representation.
For more minor errors, see if your employer has provided you with a framework to follow when a mistake is made, as this could give you some guidance on what to do next.
3. Be honest
It’s only natural to want to hide your mistakes, especially from your superiors, as you do not want this to impact your job security. However, honesty is always key. Many people would prefer you to take accountability as opposed to brushing it on the rug, as this shows that you are professional and care about what you do.
Reach out to them privately to let them know of your mistake. Make a brief, sincere apology before providing them with some wider context. Then, make it clear that you’ve already begun working towards a solution, or ask them what you would like them to do next.
4. Be part of the solution
As mentioned previously, the best thing to do after making a mistake is to take action and work towards finding a solution. Write down a list of everything you can do to remedy the issue or make amends with your customers if the situation requires it. Once you’ve got a clear plan in place, begin to action it. Take note of everything you are doing, as you may have to refer to this later when discussing the situation with your boss or completing an incident report.
Once you’ve done whatever you can to resolve the issue, try to relax. Remember that mistakes are a part of life – and view it as a learning opportunity.
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