From a slight slip-up to a massive miscalculation, making mistakes can happen in any role. Here’s some essential insight on how to cope when an error at work is occupying your mind
After countless hours, you’ve finally finished putting together an important document for a project that’s been consuming all of your energy and brain power. Sending it to the key client feels like a relief, a weight off your shoulders. Except, days later, you realise there’s a mistake in it. Your heart sinks as you think of the impact this might have, and your mind starts spiralling with how everyone will believe you’re awful at your job.
Mistakes are a common part of working life, from unfortunate typos to dropping an entire tray of drinks and hearing a cheer reverberate around the restaurant at your expense. So, what can we do to cope when we make a mistake at work?
Why making a mistake can be distressing
“Making a mistake at work can have such an impact on our wellbeing and cause anxiety because it touches on our sense of safety,” explains life coach Fatima Sabeur. “Just like we can have a secure, anxious, or avoidant, attachment style in relationships in general, we can also feel secure, anxious, or have avoidant tendencies at work that making an error will put a spotlight on.”
When an error arises, we can worry that we’ll be seen as bad at our role, or that we may even lose our job. For a perfectionist, it’s understandable that even a small mistake can leave you feeling frustrated and upset at yourself.
Assessing the situation
The first thing to say is that everybody makes mistakes, so try to take a moment to calm yourself and then assess the situation – though, in the moment, it can be hard to know what to do.
“Acting proportionally is key,” explains Fatima. “Depending on the nature of the mistake and the impact of it, various stakeholders may need to be involved so that the risks associated with the mistake are managed appropriately.”
If it was a scenario like the email situation I initially described, rectifying the mistake ourselves could be possible simply by re-sending the correct information. However, if things have escalated with a client or customer, or the impact of the error could have more serious repercussions, it may be best to consider relaying the situation to your line manager in order to help address it.
However, for those who are self-employed, there can be the additional pressure of taking responsibility to resolve everything yourself. In this instance, you may want to take some time to consider the possible impact, and, in turn, whether this is something that you need to speak to the client about. Remember, not every little mistake will need flagging – it’s about taking a step back for an objective view, and figuring out the best way forward.
Talk it through
Whether it’s a colleague or a good friend, talking through what’s transpired with someone you trust can help keep things in perspective, as well as identify possible next steps. “Being able to talk to someone we trust about an error helps us gain perspective, especially if we can’t get out of the ‘beating-ourselves-up’ loop, and they may also be able to offer ideas from their own experiences that’ll lessen the emotional toll that making an error can take on us,” says Fatima.
“Explain what happened, the impact, and what can be done to address it,” Fatima adds. “Once the ‘crisis’ has passed, a discussion about lessons learnt and where to revise processes, for example, can also be helpful. Someone you trust, who has your interests at heart too, will always offer help and insights for you to deal with the situation at hand.”
Taking accountability
If you’ve decided the mistake is something that needs raising, admitting what’s happened and apologising shows integrity, and that you care about what you do.
“Taking accountability for a mistake is the first step,” Fatima says. “There is no point in denying a mistake or apportioning blame. In fact, when we take responsibility for a mistake, we often find that others are much more inclined to help us address it.”
While some errors can be harmless in the grand scheme of things, it’s important to acknowledge that others can have a negative or even harmful impact –for example, if there are safety concerns for colleagues or customers as a result. You may need to follow your organisation’s policies around reporting errors or incidents. Sometimes it’s worth seeking advice from a union representative if you’re concerned, especially if you feel your line manager isn’t being as supportive as you’d like.
If someone has been directly impacted by your mistake, Fatima has some advice. “Apologies and open communication can also go a long way. Whether it’s our feelings or someone else’s, acknowledging the human and emotional impact of an error helps all parties involved to move forward. Even in the case of the most serious errors, the main thing preventing us from moving on is unresolved feelings over a situation that can’t be changed.”
Learning from mistakes
It’s important to recognise that mistakes at work can be opportunities for growth.
“If we’re able to reframe mistakes from something that is bad and to avoid at all costs, to something that may happen, that we can learn from, and, most importantly, we know we can deal with when and where they arise, then it’s much easier to relax and not be paralysed by the thought of making an error,” says Fatima.
“This is not to say that we should let go of rigour, but demystifying mistakes actually frees us up to do our best work, and enhances our confidence. It helps us feel more secure, and neutralises the, often irrational to an extent, fears that we may lose our jobs over the mistake.”
There may be practical changes you can make, too. Maybe you’ve realised you need to allow more time to proofread documents, or that you’d appreciate training around customer service to help deal with tricky interactions.
Look after yourself
It’s understandable to be upset if you’ve made a mistake. If you find yourself ruminating, especially in your leisure time, try to find enjoyable activities to do, whether having a laugh with a friend or going for a walk. If these thoughts become more difficult, speaking with a therapist can be helpful.
Remember, we all make mistakes at work. “No one is perfect and mistakes will happen,” says Fatima. “It is how we respond to these situations that makes all the difference.”
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