“I SCREWED UP”
Posted by Tim Bryce on December 5, 2019
BRYCE ON MANAGEMENT
– “The longer you delay admitting a mistake, the more expensive it will be to correct.” – Bryce’s Law
Click for AUDIO VERSION.
To use this segment in a Radio broadcast or Podcast, send TIM a request.
Nobody likes to admit making a mistake. We tend to believe it makes us look bad in the eyes of our coworkers, friends and particularly the boss. It’s a real test of our integrity. Some people like to cover-up mistakes so they go undetected or, even worse, let someone else take the blame for them. I find mistakes tend to fester and grow if left unchecked, thereby causing bigger headaches and costing a lot more money if we don’t catch them in time.
Every once in awhile you have to look your boss straight in the eye and say, “I screwed up.” It’s kind of like having a priest listen to your confession. Although the boss may be disappointed, he will be appreciative of the fact you came clean with him early on and brought the problem to his attention where it can be caught and corrected with minimal damage.
In this day and age of micromanagement you don’t see too many people willing to admit a mistake. They take on an assignment, get in over their head, and fail to yell for help in time. This does a disservice to the assignment, the people depending on you, and yourself. In business, it is not uncommon to see people rising above their level of competency (aka, “The Peter Principle”). In other words, they have been placed in a position where they are incapable of performing their job effectively. Keeping them in this position is a disservice to the company as well as to the person. Frankly, I think we have too many people in over their heads who refuse to ask for help, which I consider a pretty scary operating scenario.
We have all made mistakes we wish we could take back and correct, some small, others real beauts, but there is nobody out there without a blemish on their record, which is why we are all willing to forgive, provided the person comes clean with it early on.
There’s an old axiom in business that says, “If you make 51% of your decisions correctly, you will be a success.” I’m not suggesting we don’t strive for perfection, but we should all realize it is an impossibility. After all, the last guy who was perfect, they hung on a cross.
Originally published: July 15, 2008
Keep the Faith!
P.S. – Also do not forget my new books, “How to Run a Nonprofit” and “Tim’s Senior Moments”, both available in Printed and eBook form. Great holiday gifts!
Note: All trademarks both marked and unmarked belong to their respective companies.
Tim Bryce is an author, freelance writer and the Managing Director of M&JB Investment Company (M&JB) of Palm Harbor, Florida and has over 40 years of experience in the management consulting field. He can be reached at timb1557@gmail.com
For Tim’s columns, see: timbryce.com
Like the article? TELL A FRIEND.
Copyright © 2019 by Tim Bryce. All rights reserved.
Listen to Tim on WZIG-FM (104.1) in Palm Harbor,FL; Or tune-in to Tim’s channel on YouTube. Click for TIM’S LIBRARY OF AUDIO CLIPS.
THE BRYCE IS RIGHT! 
Dolphin, Cynthia (DOP) said
Good morning,
Thanks for sharing. It is a Great write-up. If I make a mistake, let me be the first to confess it because I am not perfect Jesus is. I am human and Jesus is Divine. Yes, I agree some people do not want to admit when they make a mistake.
Cynthia Dolphin
Former Pace University Student
LikeLike
Helena Nunn said
Dear Tim: Loved your article. This should be mandatory reading for all children. It is time to tell children that their parents make mistakes too but better to admit to them than try to hide them.
LikeLike
Tim Bryce said
An A.C. of Eaton, New York wrote…
“I’ve learned that if I own up to my mistakes my boss or supervisor, if they are worth their salt, will have greater respect and appreciation for me and my work.
I remember reading a (true) story about an employee at a business who made an error that cost the business over 10 thousand dollars (this was way back when money was worth a lot more) and started clearing out his desk because he knew he was going to be fired as soon as the owner learned of his screw up.
Shortly, the boss came by his desk and saw him cleaning it out and hollered at him, “Put that stuff back! You’re not going anywhere! I just spent over ten thousand dollars on your training and I’m not gonna lose my investment now.””
LikeLike