You Fumbled the Interview!
Photo by MART PRODUCTION
Or the presentation, the meeting, the project, or any number of outcome-oriented endeavors.
What now?
First, breathe! Then acknowledge the fumble and forgive yourself. Beating yourself up about a mistake will never serve you.
Then, try to put it in perspective: mistakes are inevitable, and you’re not the first person to make that mistake. The world has not ended; recovery is most likely possible.
Sit down calmly with others involved on your team (or with yourself, if appropriate). Discuss what specifically went wrong.
If this was a meeting or project at work, your workplace culture will be a primary factor in your recovery. A healthy culture encourages acknowledgment, then analysis. Team members should feel free to try new things and to fail without being blamed or victimized. If you are open with your errors, it will help build trust within the group.
Now, the analysis: Were you aligned with other affected parties on the end goal? Did you completely understand your assignment? Were you adequately prepared? Take whatever steps are necessary to ensure the same mistake will not be repeated. Not only should you tell anyone else who needs to know what your plans are, but also include them in any process improvement you are proposing. If your organization has not institutionalized a similar “fumble-forward” process, you can play a key role in positive workplace culture transformation.
If this was, in fact, a botched interview, view it as a learning opportunity and practice the response you wish you had made for the next one!
There is a silver lining: most fumbles will make great answers to that tiresome interview question, “Tell me about a time you made a mistake at work and what you did about it.”
Cheers,
Tracey
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Fundamental of the Week #23: PRACTICE RECOVERY
When mistakes or errors in judgment happen, own it. Communicate to the appropriate parties, acknowledge your accountability, and set corrective steps in motion. Get back in the game quickly.
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