Mistakes will happen. Your role as team leader is to monitor when, how and why mistakes happen, and seek solutions. With a few simple guidelines it’s possible to master this skill.
Set an example
Was it a major or minor mistake? How you approach this issue sets the tone for your entire group. Leading by example is a large part of being a manager. Remember, someone helped you learn the ropes. Too harsh a reaction can kill an employee’s confidence and steal their motivation? This is especially important for managers who are overly critical or controlling. Everyone makes mistakes and you want your employees to feel safe when the inevitable happens.
Evaluate the mistake
Don’t assume you understand the problem. Ask the employee, in the case of repeated individual mistakes, why the employee thinks they are failing to get the job done. Was this a mistake due to inattention or improper or not enough training? Let their answers to these questions shape what you say to the employee.
Teach for better results
Most employees want to do their best. During your discussion, remember you are helping your employee find their footing. Explain the problem, and take your employee through the process. Go over any processes and procedures necessary to get a procedural task done right the next time. The employee will be informed to better complete their task, and know how to avoid making the same mistake again.
Ignore minor mistakes
Some people learn by experience. Coaching or manual reading will not change that, so be open to letting minor mistakes slide during the learning process. This does not include when health and safety are at risk. Safety mishaps need to be addresses to prevent harm to others.
Rarely mistakes in an office setting cause major danger. Employees need room to fail in minor ways. Be sure to convey that you trust them to get the job done right.
Be open to change
Review the process. Is the process too complex? Inherently flawed or outdated processes can cause mistakes. It’s important to consider this if frequent mistakes occur. If many people are failing to accomplish what’s needed, it’s time to consult your team about what is going wrong, why, and if they have suggestions for improvement.
Offer encouragement
It’s important to keep employees motivated, especially if an employee is learning a new skill or testing a new process. Everybody needs a few weeks to learn. When handled properly, mistakes can teach. Growth and valuable knowledge can be gained for the company. Talk about the learning and improvements that resulted from a mistake. Whether the mistake resulted in success or failure.
Show how to take responsibility– the successes, the mundane, and the mistakes. Motivating employees and guiding your team will serve your company and ensure your success.
