Tips for Learning from Workplace Mistakes

That project you championed that flopped? The hire that didn't work out? The strategy that missed the mark? Welcome to leadership. Failure isn't the exception—it's the curriculum. The difference between leaders who grow and those who plateau isn't avoiding failure; it's extracting wisdom from it. Yet most of us let our best lessons evaporate in the rush to move on. Here's what actually works: 1. Keep a "learning log" – After each setback, write down what happened, why it happened, and what you'd do differently. Review it regularly. 2. Share your failures openly – When you tell your team "Here's what I got wrong," you give them permission to take smart risks. 3. Distinguish intelligent failures from preventable ones – Experiments that don't work out? Valuable. Repeating the same mistake? That's the real failure. 4. Conduct after action reviews – After every project, no matter how big or small, gather the players and discuss what went well, what didn't go so well, and what you all can learn from the exercise. Capture the information and document it for future projects. Your missteps aren't character flaws. They're data points showing you're pushing boundaries.

One of the most common mistakes I've observed is the reluctance to admit mistakes. Whether it stems from pride or a fear of judgment, many beginners in our industry tend to become defensive when their errors are pointed out. However, making mistakes is a natural part of the learning process—it's how we respond and learn from them that truly matters. Instead of letting pride get in the way, I encourage you to embrace mistakes as opportunities for growth. Here’s a proactive approach: - Acknowledge the Mistake: Admitting when something has gone wrong is the first step towards improvement. It shows accountability and a commitment to learning. - Understand the Root Cause: Take the time to analyze why the mistake occurred. Was it due to a lack of knowledge, communication breakdown, or another factor? Understanding the root cause helps prevent similar issues in the future. - Establish Preventive Measures: Implement steps or procedures to avoid repeating the mistake. This could involve additional training, improving communication channels, or creating checklists for critical tasks. - Communicate Openly: Be transparent about what happened and the steps being taken to rectify the situation. Honesty builds trust and demonstrates integrity to colleagues and clients. - Learn and Move Forward: Use each mistake as a learning opportunity. Embrace a mindset of continuous improvement and resilience. As business owners and leaders, fostering a culture where mistakes are acknowledged and addressed constructively is crucial for innovation and growth. Remember, it's not about avoiding mistakes entirely but about how we respond and grow from them. What mistakes did you encounter early in your career, and how did you turn them into learning experiences? Let's share insights to help others navigate similar challenges! #BusinessAdvice #BestAdvice #LeadershipDevelopment #Leadership #Business #Entrepreneur #Mistakes #MistakesHappen #ContinuousImprovement

You can’t have a high-velocity, high-impact career without screwing up. I had multiple public screwups on my way to Amazon VP. The good news is that mistakes can help your career if you handle them right. Here is a formula: 1) Own it. 2) Fix it. 3) Communicate it. 4) Learn from it. 5) Move on. That really is it, but of course, each of those pieces has steps of its own. To own your mistake, you must be specific and direct. Tell your leadership what went wrong and why to the best of your knowledge. Tell them that it is on you to fix and how you will go about doing that. If you don’t know any of these details, tell them you don’t know and when they can expect an update. To fix the problem, consider what options you have based on new information. If time allows, pressure test these options by running them past one expert and one skeptic. Ask three questions: “What am I missing?” “What breaks first?” “What would have to be true for this to work?” Then, assign clear owners, clear expectations, and call in reinforcements. Get experts from other teams to help you—don’t be proud. Make small adjustments where possible, but don’t be afraid to roll it all back. Don’t be tied to old expectations or original ideas. Give your leadership and team a cadence for your updates, and stick to it. Frequent updates will help buy you time and win back trust piece by piece. When the crisis has been stopped and things have been fixed, reflect on what you have learned and share it. Then, move on. Dwelling on what you did wrong does not help your career, your mental health, or the business. Moving forward, setting new goals, and bouncing back helps all three. If you want a more in-depth lesson on how to mentally prepare to lead through crises, how to manage them, and how to recover, read this week’s newsletter: https://buff.ly/uZWsxLV Readers- what mistakes have you made that you were able to thrive through? How did you bounce back?

Mistakes. Regret your candour with the boss? Made a poor and costly decision? Ignored a problem which now puts your credibility at risk? Everyone I know makes mistakes. The good news is some have profited from them. James Joyce says mistakes are the portals of discovery, and management literature contends that mistakes can lead to positive outcomes. In fact, the great Michael Jordan reminds us of how overcoming failures leads to success - “I have missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I have lost almost 300 games. On 26 occasions, I have been entrusted to take the game-winning shot, and I missed. I have failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.” Jordan's point is compelling, but it is not easy to accept. You can't succeed if you don't make mistakes sounds like a death sentence to many. So there is an IF - you can survive and even thrive from making mistakes if you own it, learn from it, and manage its consequences. So, how to respond when one makes a significant mistake? Many wish the mistake would be unnoticed, or let their fear obstruct sound judgment and timely decision-making. The key is to replace wishful thinking and fear with taking control of the situation. This can be achieved by O-I-C, a 3-step approach. 1. O-wn up. But tread carefully, especially if the company has a culture of blame-shifting. Importantly, pick your moment and find allies. And whatever you do, own up before your hand is forced. How do you own up? Present objectively and accurately why and how the mistake happened, take responsibility and make no excuses. Remember, the only thing worse than a person who made a big mistake is a person who made a big mistake, lacked the integrity to own up, and is stupid enough to get caught. 2. I-mprovement. Shift the focus from punishing people to improving processes so the same mistake will not happen again. Also articulate accurately the consequences of the mistake, recommend specific actions to minimise its impact, capitalise on unexpected opportunities, highlight lessons the mistake shows up and get permission to implement. 3. C-ompassion. Have compassion for yourself. Recognise that mistakes regularly happen when you innovate, strive for big wins and push boundaries. Importantly, you can learn from these experiences, share them with others and be better, wiser, and more resilient. This will help you when your next mistake happens. Whilst we can't make an omelette without breaking eggs, we can move from being the person who made the mistake to the person who thrives from it and has the gumption to make new ones. Agree?

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗽𝗲𝗻𝘀 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 . . . 🔷As a manager and leader, whether you're just starting out or you’ve been in the game for years, you know that the decisions you make every day can have lasting effects. But how often do you stop to reflect on how those decisions are made—especially when they don’t go as planned? 👇Before diving into your next big decision, ask yourself: ❓What past decisions didn’t turn out the way I expected? ❓Am I repeating the same approach, hoping for different results? ❓How can I use past experiences to improve my current decision-making? 💡In our rush for efficiency, we often move quickly, believing that speed will bring results. But true efficiency comes from intentional reflection—slowing down to mine the lessons hidden in past decisions, even when those decisions didn’t work out. 👉Here are some key steps you can take to improve your decision-making by learning from past experiences: 1️⃣ 𝗖𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗹𝘆 𝗱𝗲𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗯𝗹𝗲𝗺. Before jumping to solutions, make sure you're addressing the right issue. Don’t let assumptions or desired outcomes cloud your understanding of what’s actually at stake. 2️⃣ 𝗜𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁’𝘀 𝗰𝗮𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗱𝗲𝗰𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻. Stress can cloud judgment and reinforce biases. By understanding what’s triggering your stress, you can prevent it from skewing your decision-making process. 3️⃣ 𝗔𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘆𝘇𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗱𝗲𝗰𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗱𝗶𝗱𝗻’𝘁 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗼𝘂𝘁. Choose a few decisions that didn’t go as planned. What went wrong? Were there warning signs you ignored? This reflection will help you avoid similar mistakes. 4️⃣ 𝗔𝗰𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄𝗹𝗲𝗱𝗴𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗮𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗺𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗺𝗮𝗱𝗲. Every decision comes with assumptions. Looking back, what assumptions led to poor outcomes? Did you rely on incomplete information, or overlook key factors? 5️⃣ 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻. Use what you’ve learned from past mistakes to make adjustments to your current decision. What new approaches can you take to get a better outcome? 6️⃣ 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽 𝗮 𝗰𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻. After reflecting on your past and current decision, create a strategy that addresses the lessons learned. Ensure your approach incorporates new insights to avoid repeating mistakes. 🪴Mistakes are not failures—they’re opportunities for growth. By taking the time to reflect on past decisions, you gain the insight needed to make more informed and confident choices in the future. 💫Remember, slowing down and reflecting is not a sign of inefficiency, but a strategy for long-term success. Ask yourself: 𝘈𝘮 𝘐 𝘮𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘤𝘬𝘭𝘺 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘪𝘵, 𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘮 𝘐 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘧𝘶𝘭, 𝘥𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘣𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘪𝘤𝘦𝘴?

We all make mistakes. Mistakes on exams. Mistakes on projects. Mistakes on the job. We are human. The real question isn’t whether mistakes happen. It’s what you do next. Was it a materials issue? An engineering judgment call? A construction or execution problem? At some point in your career, you’ll be involved in an incident, a failure, or a near miss. That moment matters more than a perfect resume ever will. Strong engineers don’t hide mistakes. They slow down, document what happened, communicate clearly, and focus on fixing the root cause, not necessarily assigning blame. Find the fix! This mindset applies everywhere. • In practice • On the FE or PE exam • In leadership roles Growth comes from ownership, reflection, and better decisions the next time around. So if you’ve made a mistake recently, don’t spiral. Learn from it. Improve your process. And keep moving forward. That’s how real professionals are built!

I once deleted all of a very, very high-profile client's social media ads. All of them. Every single one. Historic data? Poof. Gone. My manager was frankly incredible. She knew it was an honest mistake (and I don't know about now, but 2018 Facebook Ads Manager was A NIGHTMARE to use). She remained positive, did what she could to fix it and spoke to the client who was also incredibly kind and just said 'this is a learning for us.' But before any of this happened, I had a minor meltdown at my desk, had a little cry and thought I was going to get fired. I wasted valuable time losing my head. Moral of the story? STAY. CALM. It's probably going to be fine. Here's what I do when I – frequently – make mistakes (How quickly you need to move will depend on your work) 1. Again, always stay calm. Panicking doesn't help anyone. Do a few box breaths (in for 4, hold for for 4, out for 4, hold for 4, repeat) 2. Retrace your steps. Write a quick outline so you're clear on what happened. 3. I always try to think of a solution(s) before speaking to the relevant people, but remember sometimes it's better to think of ways to fix things rather than trying to actually fix things, as you might cause more problems. 4. Be straight up. This is the best advice I can give you. Tell your manager exactly what happened, how the mistake was made and the solutions you've thought about. Apologise and take responsibility! It goes a long way. Shifting blame, on the other hand, is always a bad vibe. 5. This is crucial: LEARN FROM IT. Make some notes. Write out a process to help you or others in the future. Don't make the same mistake twice. 6. Move on. You've got other things to do! Remember that every single person in your workplace has made a mammoth error in the past and has lived to tell the tale. In the immortal words of an engineer I once worked with on a huge hotel project that was spiralling out of control: 'Can we please remember this is furniture, not a nuclear power plant.' SHARE YOUR STORIES, TIPS AND ADVICE BELOW TO HELP SOMEONE STARTING OUT! 👇

I don’t understand the shame associated with making mistakes. No one is perfect. No one delivered high-quality work on their first attempt. High-quality work IS the outcome of mistakes reflected upon. Use the RISE framework to turn any mistake into progress: R – Recognize Identify the mistake clearly without defensiveness. I – Investigate Ask why it happened. Was it a skill gap, a misunderstanding, or a process flaw? S – Synthesize Turn the insight into a principle or takeaway. E – Execute Differently Apply the learning immediately in your next project or task. Making mistakes is not the mistake. Not learning from them is. Quote from the book: It Always Seems Impossible Until It's Done. PS: If you found this helpful, I share more insights to help you build a growth mindset. Follow along if you’re on the same journey.

More mistakes = more lessons The more mistakes you make, the more lessons you gain. 

It's important not to rely solely on theory or focus only on your successes. 

Embrace your failures and view them as valuable learning opportunities. 

Each mistake provides practical insights that theory alone cannot offer and helps you grow both personally and professionally. 

By analysing and understanding your missteps, you can develop better strategies, avoid repeating the same errors, and ultimately achieve greater success. 

Expanding your focus beyond successes ensures a well-rounded approach to growth and continuous improvement. 1. Reflect on Mistakes: - Daily or Weekly Reviews: Set aside time to review your actions and decisions regularly. Reflect on what went wrong and why. - Journaling: Keep a journal of your mistakes and the lessons learned from each one.
 2. Seek Feedback: - Peer Reviews: Ask colleagues or mentors for constructive feedback on your work and decisions. - Open Communication: Create an environment where team members feel comfortable discussing their mistakes and what they learned.
 3. Analyse and Document: - Root Cause Analysis: Use techniques like the "5 Whys" or fishbone diagrams to understand the root causes of mistakes. - Documentation: Document mistakes and their causes in a shared repository for future reference and team learning.
 4. Create a Learning Culture: - Celebrate Learning: Recognise and reward employees who identify mistakes and share their lessons. - Encourage Experimentation: Foster an environment where calculated risks and experimentation are encouraged, even if they result in

Key Learnings for Professional Growth 📈 In the journey of professional development, mistakes are inevitable. They're not just hiccups along the way; they are crucial stepping stones toward growth and success. Yet, it's understandable that facing mistakes can sometimes feel embarrassing or even demoralizing. However, it's how we respond to these errors that truly defines our professional trajectory. Here are some valuable insights to consider when navigating through workplace mistakes and turning them into opportunities for growth: 👍 Embrace a Growth Mindset: It's essential to approach mistakes with a mindset geared towards learning and improvement. Every misstep is a chance to refine your skills and become better at what you do. 👍 Transparency is Key: Hiding mistakes only compounds the issue. It's far better to own up to them transparently and proactively. Being forthcoming about errors demonstrates integrity and accountability, which are highly valued traits in any professional setting. 👍 Claim Your Contributions: In collaborative environments, it's common for others to take credit for work you've done. While it may be uncomfortable, it's crucial to assertively claim recognition for your contributions. Don't let anyone diminish your efforts or sideline your achievements. 👍 Admit When You Don't Know: No one knows everything, and that's perfectly okay. It's far more respectable to admit when you're unsure about something than to pretend to have all the answers. Asking questions and seeking clarification not only fosters a culture of honesty but also promotes continuous learning and development. 👍 Respect Your Time: In a fast-paced work environment, it's easy for others to encroach on your time or overload you with tasks. Establish clear boundaries and advocate for the protection of your time. Remember, it's not about avoiding errors altogether but rather about learning from them and emerging stronger and more resilient. #ProfessionalDevelopment #GrowthMindset #LearningFromMistakes #Transparency #CareerSuccess #ContinuousImprovement #WorkplaceCulture #TimeManagement #ClaimYourCredit