How to Handle Making a Mistake

1. How to Handle Making a Mistake Part I By Leah Deasy

2. 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! Stay Calm

3. Who Should I tell My Mistake Too?

4. What Not to Do! • Do not diminish your professionalism. • Do not berate yourself for the mistake. • Do not beg for forgiveness.

5. How to Proceed

6. Responsibility • Make sure the mistake isn’t 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!

7. 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

8. Getting Blamed For Something You Didn’t Do. Part II

9. Discuss Matters Privately with your Boss. Choose your words Carefully. Be Direct. Keep your emotions in check. Listen. Be Prepared. Put Your heads together. Resolving Difficult Situations

10. 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.

11. Choose Your Words Carefully Use “I” statements and avoid placing blame on others. “I didn’t do that.” “I didn’t send that paper out with the mail.” “I am not sure why this has happened.”

12. 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 didn’t send that paper out with the mail because I wasn’t in the mail room, I was in the store at the time.”

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

14. 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 wasn’t previously said.

15. 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 won’t forget anything. • Be positive.

16. 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.

17. 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 doesn’t work ask your boss or supervisor to be a mediator to help solve the problem.

18. Summary • Tell your boss that a mistake must have been made by someone else because you weren’t 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.

19. 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/library/HQ/00465.html