12 Ways to Bounce Back After Making a Dumb Mistake at Work

10. Earn Trust Back with Your Words and Actions

One mistake, even a big one, cannot derail your life permanently unless you allow it to. President Bill Clinton, for instance, was shamed worldwide for his infidelity. Several years later, he received the United Nations Citizen of the World Award. You can fail dramatically and publicly, yet still move past your mistakes.

The best way to earn back people’s trust is by the actions you take after you have made a mistake. Eat humble pie and work hard to make up for your mistake and there won’t be many who won’t forgive and forget. Consistency is important, even in small ways when you are trying to regain trust. Be willing to sacrifice your own needs to benefit others.

If your boss has serious doubts about your competency because of your mistake, it may require some effort to change their mind. It will require humility from you. So, show your boss you are working towards improving your skills. But don’t try to rush it. You may need extra time to do some research if your boss wants your input, rather than giving the first thoughts that come to mind.

Most people want to be able to trust you after you have made a mistake. However, to expect them to do this instantly is unreasonable. They need to see you do the things you said you would do to fix it. You need to remain as transparent as possible and be consistent in your efforts. If you are prepared to make the effort, with some patience and perseverance, you will be able to earn back their trust.