The Epic Fail: It Happens to the Best of Us

I’ll have to admit, after seeing the above photo plastered across social media — I couldn’t help but feel sorry for the unfortunate employee (intern perhaps), who left the less-than-period-proper water bottle on the set of Downton Abbey. I also thought this might be a great time to have a brief refresher on the topic of workplace mistakes.

A few thoughts:

• It happens to the best of us. As the above photo attests, even consummate professionals have their moments. In many cases we are too tired, stressed or rushed to do our best work. (A classic work life scenario.) If we can learn anything from this, it is to pace ourselves and recognize when we are fading.
• Have the courage to own it. Have you ever had a discussion with an individual who just would not admit they had anything to do with a snafu? Do you recall just how frustrating that was? Many of us feel that we must be perfect at all times — and this is entirely unreasonable. (We cannot prevent re-occurrences if we do not understand what really has happened. Remember this the next time around.) It’s human to make a mistake. However, the first person you must forgive is yourself.
• If possible, turn things around. After the shock of the moment has passed, if you can possibly see the humor (or an opportunity) in the error — change the vibe completely. In response to their error, the folks at Downton published this photo, recognizing that indeed they are not perfect — while making the most of the moment to draw attention to a worthy cause.

How have you handled work life mistakes? Share your strategies.

Dr. Marla Gottschalk is an Industrial/Organizational Psychologist. She is the Director of Thought Leadership at Kilberry Leadership Advisors, Toronto. She is also serves as an Influencer at LinkedIn.

Photo: @DowntonAbbey