How to Handle Making a Mistake

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How to Handle Making a Mistake

• Part I
• By Leah Deasy

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Stay Calm

• Own up to your mistake.
• Do NOT cover up your Mistake!
• Telling the truth is always the way to go.
• This is the sign of a true professional.

• Go directly to your boss about your mistake.
• Do not tell another co-worker first.
• If they get to your boss first it does not look
  good for you.
• Tell your Cooperative Coordinator Mrs. Deasy!

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Who Should I tell My Mistake Too?
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What Not to Do!

• Do not diminish your professionalism.
• Do not berate yourself for the mistake.
• Do not beg for forgiveness.

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How to Proceed
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Responsibility

• Make sure the mistake isnt repeated.
• Have some solutions already in the process when
  you approach your supervisor/boss.
• Take steps to avoid the same mistake in the
  future.
• Move on!

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Reference Pagefor Part I
A Learning Opportunity Winter 2000 issue of The
Journal published by NA. Of Washington. Taken
from the World Wide Web on October 9, 2003 at
http//www.nals.org/Student/MakingMistakes.htm
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Getting Blamed For Something You Didnt Do.

• Part II

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Resolving Difficult Situations

• Listen.
• Be Prepared.
• Put Your heads together.

• Discuss Matters Privately with your Boss.
• Choose your words Carefully.
• Be Direct.
• Keep your emotions in check.

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Discuss Matters with Your Boss Privately

• If you are out in a public area, ask your boss if
  you can talk privately.
• Or decide on specific time and place to talk
  about the problem.

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Choose Your Words Carefully

• Use I statements and avoid placing blame on
  others.
• I didnt do that.
• I didnt send that paper out with the mail.
• I am not sure why this has happened.

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Speak your mind

• Stick to the facts.
• State what you mean in a clear direct manner.
• Back up your statements with explanations of why.
• ex. I didnt send that paper out with the mail
  because I wasnt in the mail room, I was in the
  store at the time.

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Keep your emotions in check

• Venting emotions may only prevent you from
  expressing your views logically. Anger often
  leads to a negativity.

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Listen

• Listen to what your boss is telling you or saying
  to you.
• In the state of emotions that you may be in, you
  may miss something that your boss said.
• The boss may have new information for you that
  wasnt previously said.

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Be Prepared

• Know what you want to say before you talk with
  your boss.
• Write down on a piece of paper you thoughts or
  any questions you have before talking with your
  boss.
• That way you wont forget anything.
• Be positive.

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Put Your Heads Together

• Think of a plan and talk with your boss about
  what you think is happening.
• Find a way to get to the bottom of the problem.
• Do not try to find out who did what you were
  blamed for.
• If you were up front with the boss and honest,
  the boss will give you the benefit of the doubt
  and will want to find out what happened.

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Getting Blamed from Someone Other than your Boss

• Tell your boss right away.
• Explain the situation.
• Use the above practices to resolve the matter.
• If that doesnt work ask your boss or supervisor
  to be a mediator to help solve the problem.

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Summary

• Tell your boss that a mistake must have been made
  by someone else because you werent the one
  responsible doing this problem.
• State that you have always been upfront if you
  made a mistake.
• Do not blame another person. (I saw John mail
  the letter).
• Ask your boss, Would you like me to look into
  who could be responsible?
• Your boss may want to do the checking themselves.

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Reference Page for Part II

• 1998-2003 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education
  and Research. Taken From the World Wide Web on
  October 9, 2003 at http//www.cnn.com/HEALTH/libra
  ry/HQ/00465.html