By Judy Carter
Courtesy ASME’s Affinity Partner, American Management Association (AMA)
We all mess up sometimes—a presentation falls flat, you lose your temper with a co-worker, you step on the gas instead of the brake and smash into someone's house. Well, OK, some mistakes are bigger than others. Whether you are a salesperson who lost a big account or an employee who just told off the boss, don't start combing through the want ads just yet. If you play your cards right, you could get a second chance using something as simple of your sense of humor. Laughter breaks tension, changes the mood and creates an opening for what kids call a “do-over.”
Here are some simple techniques that will help you get a do-over at work:
- Admit the mistake immediately
If your mistake is obvious, don’t try to pretend it didn't happen. Don’t diminish its importance, defend it or make excuses for it. Simply admit the error and ask for the chance to rectify it. If you have already made a mistake, don't make another one by lying. Lying about what you did will probably get you in more hot water than the mistake itself. A good boss knows that everyone makes mistakes, but it takes a truly trustworthy employee to fess up. Learn three more techniques |
