Make Some Mistakes

Making a mistake could be a sign of learning, or it could be a sign of inattention. Boredom is not productive, but a mistake is one step on the path to the future.

Good managers try new things and make the kind of mistakes that pay off for them and their staff. Mis-steps on the way to a goal are beneficial for the lessons they represent.

We can learn from mistakes in several ways.

1. Recognize that you have made a mistake. Don't defend the mistake as if the outcome were intended all along.
2. Assess what went wrong and why. Analysis is key to progress in management. The more precise you can be, the more pertinent will be the lesson.
3. Generalize from the specifics of the mistake. This will generate guidance for the next time you are in a similar situation.
4. Recover from the mistake. This usually involves undoing the harm, if any, through remedial actions. Occasionally, you will have the lucky opportunity of redoing the work without further repercussions.
5. Apologize to everyone who suffered from your mistake. Don't wallow in guilt. Just identify the mistake, explain what you have learned, and describe how you are planning to recover. Learning how to make your apology genuine is a skill development that will benefit your entire work life.

Having made a mistake, forgive yourself and start trying to achieve more goals. You will make more mistakes, but that is how you learn.