How To Move On From Mess Ups

Yesterday we started discussing how it’s impossible to be perfect, even at work. After all, everyone makes mistakes. Given that inevitability, what really matters is how you recover from those slip-ups. A great way to recover is to offer an apology to your boss. To say sorry in a genuine way, you need to first acknowledge what you’ve done–and what you’re going to do better moving forward. When accidentally making an error at work, to provide both a proper apology and great game plan for moving forward, think about your employer’s perspective. How does your mistake impact the overall organization? To borrow a saying from the world of theater, “There are no small parts, only small actors.” Your role, no matter how small it may seem, has a big impact at your organization. Keep this in mind when making amends. 

Another thing to keep in mind? Your error is a professional matter, not a personal one. Don’t let yourself get bogged down by thinking you’re a terrible person! Don’t even let yourself start thinking you’re a terrible employee. You’ve done one wrong thing in particular. Again, it happens to everyone. Keep your focus on how to fix that single mistake, as well as making a game-plan for how you’re not going to make the same mistake again in the future.

In a temp role specifically, remember that you are collaborating with your agency. But communication is a two-way street. If you aren’t able to step back from the situation and discuss what’s happening with your agency, they can’t help you address the problem. And if you have concerns, they CAN be addressed. It’s much better to talk about what’s going on and brainstorm a solution than keep going in to work upset. In dealing with miscommunication and errors in the workplace, make sure you’re holding yourself accountable–ask yourself, “What was my role in this situation? Is there anything I can do differently in the future?” Your goal in addressing any mistakes and moving past problems is to find a middle ground between you and your employer. And the key to that? Keep an open mind and be flexible. With these tips in mind, we know you’ll be able to easily move on from any workplace mess up.

This posting is brought to you by Contemporaries Inc., one of the best temp agencies in Boston MA. Also available for payrolling employees in Boston and Greater Boston