COVID REPEATS 6: WHAT THEY DON’T TEACH YOU AT LAW SCHOOL 4: OWNING AND FIXING YOUR MISTAKES

April 27, 2020 · by · in Avoiding negligence claims, Well being

Here we are re-visiting a post based on at an article by Elizabeth Collura in Lawyerist.com – Recognisizing, Owning and Fixing Your Mistakes.  This is short but to the point. Mistakes happen, they are rarely disastrous. It is a failure to address the mistake promptly that will cause real grief.

DO NOT DWELL

A common theme of the guidance we have looked at so far is that mistakes will happen. The real problems arise when there is an attempt to hide or cover them up. Elizabeth Collura’s view is if you make a mistake:

  • Do not dwell or make excuses.  However an explanation is very different from an explanation.
  • Do not panic
  • “Focus on the task in hand and save the brooding for later”.

ARTICULATE AN ACTION PLAN

  • Communicate clearly the steps you plan to take to remedy the problem.
  • Give details of the expected timeline and the likelihood of success.

GET MOVING

  • Put your plan into action straight away.
  • Demonstrate that fixing the problem is your highest priority.

IDENTIFY MISTAKES IN ADVANCE IF YOU CAN

  • There are few errors that are truly unfixable.
  • Time and experience are the only real teachers.
  • Try to discuss matters with a colleague.

“Look for any opportunity to talk a tricky situation through. Through this process you will hopefully be able to identify and head off future problems before they erupt, or at least contain the fallout.”

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