Marg Kronfeld has worked in various professional roles since 1982
and, in that time, she has made mistakes. The difference between successful professionals like Marg Kronfeld and those that fail is that,
when mistakes are made, successful pros spin them to create success.
It’s a similar strategy to the old adage of “when life gives you lemons,
make lemonade,” and tips like those below can help you apply it to your
own professional mistakes:
- Be Honest – If you refuse to recognize your mistake and be honest about it, you’re less likely to turn it into success. Be down-to-earth about how and why you failed, as well as the impacts that it is likely to have on your professional endeavors. Don’t attempt to focus on good news and ignore the negatives. Instead be honest, with yourself, investors and any other stakeholders.
- Be Accountable – Professionals who fail often attempt to cover up their mistakes and pretend that they didn’t happen. This isn’t a desirable trait, however. Instead, hold yourself accountable for a why the mistake was made and what you could have done to prevent it. This shows that you can effectively manage yourself and that you have a high sense of self-awareness.
- Start Planning – Once you’ve come to terms with your mistake, consider the best possible outcome from the situation. Next, it’s time to make a plan to reach this outcome and break it down into steps that you can begin working on today.
