Yes, you read that right.
You might not believe us at first, but read through the rest of this article and you’ll see why making mistakes at work (and in life!) is crucial for growth.
Like the brilliant Stephen Hawking once said, “One of the basic rules of the universe is that nothing is perfect. Perfection simply doesn’t exist… Without imperfection, neither you nor I would exist.”
Why Make Mistakes?
In general, humans naturally strive for perfection. This creates a constant cycle of stress and anxiety when the smallest thing goes wrong.
Here’s a secret that might help you try your best to stray away from perfectionism—we’re human. If you never made a mistake, you would be the first person to do that. So, you’re not special.
We’re not saying, “Don’t try that hard because mistakes are a part of life.” There is SO much value in working hard and wanting to create work that you are proud of!
But, if you are always busy striving for perfection, the idea of making a mistake seems like a failure. This typically will cause anxiety and stress, not leaving you with a clear mind at work. The perfectionist endeavor also limits room for creativity!
In general, if an employee experiences high levels of anxiety because they are trying to avoid mistakes, they will actually make more mistakes because their mind is distracted.
The key to learning from mistakes is what response you have in the workplace.
OK, You’ve Made a Mistake… Now What?
So the inevitable happened! Despite you constantly striving for perfection, you made a mistake. How can you learn from that, other than feeling embarrassed or allowing imposter syndrome to creep in?
Well, the mistake already happened, so there’s not anything you can do to take it back. But, opening up the conversation with coworkers and your boss can create a positive learning environment and dialogue.
Additionally, accepting mistakes as they come will help improve accountability. This philosophy of creating a healthy work environment aligns with the Culture Works way.
If employees are scared to make mistakes, then there is generally a cultural issue. If employees feel comfortable enough to come forward and talk about a mistake without deep fear of getting fired, then the conversation will be much more honest and productive.
Of course, there are situations where a mistake is unacceptable (in the medical field, for example!) In our case, we’re talking about mistakes that are not a life or death scenario.
Some of the questions you might consider asking yourself and coworkers include:
At the end of the day, your boss knows your value and work ethic. Continue to show what that means for them.
“From failure, you learn. From success, not so much.” —Meet the Robinsons
Connect with Culture Works HR today to learn more about our philosophies on company culture! And for those who just made a mistake at work and want to feel better, read this article that details the worst mergers of all time. We promise your mistake wasn’t THAT bad!