I intern for a small company and just made a big mistake by accidentally sending a vendor's info to a client (not good). My boss caught it and did damage control, but I still feel really bad. I've apologized, and I think everything's going to be ok, but are there any suggestions for anything else I can do? And suggestions in case we lose this business as a result?!?! Then I would feel awful!
2007-01-30 05:27:55 · 5 answers · asked by jr663 1 in Business & Finance ➔ Careers & Employment
I've been in the workforce for more than 30 years, and what I've learned about mistakes is this: nobody's perfect, everybody makes them, and unless your mistakes is the kind that's likely to wind up in court, your mistake will be forgotten as time goes by.
More important is to demonstrate that you've learned by your mistake. There are those who make mistakes once, and there are those who make a career out of making mistakes. As long as you can demonstrate that your mistake was a fluke and unlike the way you usually do business, I think you'll be okay.
...And you gotta be able to laugh at your mistakes. Thirty years ago, I dropped a half-gallon glass bottle of a chemical called pyridine in our lab. The stuff is toxic and has a smell that would gag a maggot. I closed the whole lab down for two days. D'ya know, untl the last person who remembered that catastrophe retired last year, I still had to deal with jokes about it. Didn't hurt my career, but it did become a part of my identity. Now that the last other person who remembered it is gone, maybe I can move on...;-))
2007-01-30 05:38:14 · answer #1 · answered by Karin C 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
First, remember that everyone makes mistakes. Your boss probably knows what damage control to do, because he has been there before. Second, look at what happened to allow the mistake, and take measures to prevent it from recurring. Learn from your mistakes, and you will become a more reliable and valuable employee.
2007-01-30 05:36:03 · answer #2 · answered by dbake50 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Tell them that you acknowledge the mistake, and what actions you are going to take to make sure it does not happen again. Then ask your supervisor if they have any suggestions on how you could improve your role.
2007-01-30 05:34:04 · answer #3 · answered by Strategic Sourcing Expert 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Say:
"I apologize for the mistake, I want you to know I have learned from it and it will never happen again."
Then never bring it up again - don't keep laboring on it.
2007-01-30 05:36:57 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Fix IT
2007-01-30 05:34:50 · answer #5 · answered by SiCKnDAhead 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋