Managing the Obvious Mistake

Being in the big leagues has its advantages–money, fame, fans, etc.  Being in the big leagues also has its disadvantages.  Just ask major league umpire Jim Joyce.  With the TV cameras running, 17,000 fans on their feet, and a perfect game on the line, he obviously blows an easy call.  A 22-year veteran and everyone notices his one huge, nasty, unbelievable goof.  In the big leagues, the light shines brightly on its characters, including the officials.

In this situation, it is easy to criticize and chastise Jim Joyce for his mistake.  Why not?  He’s a professional. Professionals don’t make mistakes. Or do they?

Let’s put it in a different perspective.  You are a professional, too.  You get paid to do your job.  Have you ever made a mistake?   Have you ever really screwed something up?  Of course you have.  The only difference is the bright lights weren’t shining on you and you didn’t mess it up in front of a throng of fans.  So what?  You still screwed up.  Imagine how you would have felt if your employer, your boss, and the people you work with spent the next 48 hours repeatedly analyzing and hashing over your mistake.  How would you feel if they did that to you?

Here’s the learning from this for all of us professionals.  Everyone comes to work with the expectation and motivation to do good work. It may be that some people may not know or understand what good work is.  Nonetheless, everyone does not go to work with the expectation they are going to screw things up.

Mistakes happen.  People make mistakes–even seasoned professionals.  Mistakes are best managed not by putting someone under the microscope and openly criticizing them.  The best way to deal with any mistake in the workplace is to acknowledge it, learn from it, and do everything possible to avoid repeating it.

I was pleased the way the Detroit Tigers, Major League Baseball, and the umpires went to work the next day.  They acknowledged it and moved on.  This was great example of appropriately managing a gigantic mistake.  A wonderful lesson for all us professionals in the everyday workforce.