How Mistakes Can Build Trust
You might have noticed this week's newsletter is arriving later than usual. No excuses—I got caught up juggling a few projects and realized this was still on my to-do list.
Mistakes like this happen to all of us. Maybe you've shipped code that locked up a database table because you missed a critical WHERE clause or underestimated how long a project would take and scrambled to meet the deadline. I've certainly experienced both.
The real question isn't if you'll make mistakes—it's how you handle them. Your response can either build trust with your team or break it. So, let's talk about what to do when things go wrong.
Owning Your Mistakes Builds Trust
When mistakes happen, our instinct can be to minimize or hide them. But doing this only creates bigger problems down the road. Your team doesn't expect perfection—they value honesty and accountability. How you respond in these moments is an opportunity to strengthen or weaken the trust you've built.
Consider a scenario where you provided an inaccurate estimate for a project. If you quietly push through without alerting your manager or team, it might feel manageable in the short term, but eventually, missed deadlines will surface, damaging your credibility.
Instead, openly communicating about the problem as soon as you notice it allows your team to adapt, collaborate, and support you. It also demonstrates that you're accountable and proactive—qualities that build trust and respect.
Trust is built by consistently getting the little things right—especially in difficult situations. These small, honest actions accumulate into something much more significant: a reputation of reliability and authenticity.
This is what I mean by winning in the margins—doing the small but crucial things consistently to build lasting trust.
3 Steps to Recover When You Make a Mistake
Mistakes are inevitable, but a thoughtful, structured response can quickly restore trust and confidence. Here's my simple, go-to framework for effectively responding when things go wrong:
1. Own It
Waiting or hoping the mistake won't be noticed rarely ends well. Acknowledging the error as soon as you discover it shows maturity and accountability.
2. Communicate the Fix
Share the immediate corrective action you're taking. Use concrete facts or data to support your plan—this clarity reassures your team and leadership that you're in control.
3. Close the Loop
Once you've implemented your fix, confirm it's working as expected and share the outcomes transparently. This step demonstrates follow-through and signals that you're committed to improvement.
This approach makes responding to mistakes less stressful and reinforces your value as a trusted teammate who learns from experience and moves the team forward.
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How to Learn From Your Mistakes
Mistakes become valuable only when you learn something meaningful from them. But learning doesn't happen automatically—it takes intentional effort. Here's how you can ensure you're genuinely learning from your missteps:
Reflect
Identify what went wrong without judgment. Ask yourself:
- "What assumptions did I make?"
- "What signals or information did I overlook?"
Analyze
Move past symptoms and identify the real source of the error. Understanding the root cause prevents repeating the same mistake again and again.
Implement
Decide on concrete changes you'll make, such as improving a process, acquiring new skills, or adjusting communication habits. Be specific.
Share
Discussing lessons learned with your team solidifies your learning and helps others grow from your experience.
Approaching mistakes with this deliberate learning process transforms setbacks into meaningful growth. Instead of dwelling on errors, you're building expertise and resilience.
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No one sits down and says "I'm going to make a mistake today." They just happen. What matters most is how you handle them.
By being transparent, responding quickly, and learning from each misstep, you build trust, credibility, and growth within your team.
I'd love to hear from you: What's your approach to handling mistakes, and what valuable lessons have you learned recently? Hit reply and let me know—I read and respond to every email.