What do you do if your boss discovers your mistakes or failures?

I have always gone to my boss before he discovered it and told him when I made a mistake or failed I find that being honest is the best way. Everybody makes mistakes sometimes sometimes those mistakes actually lead to the correct solution and I never want anyone else to have to take responsibility from my mistakes so I don’t blame anyone else. I simply go and tell him this is what happened and this is how it happened and this is how we can prevent it from happening again

Being honest and transparent at all times, these are qualities that cannot be forsook. It is always good to be honest in telling your boss that you have made a mistake or an error if this is your very first time performing the task. This is also a way of upholding your personal integrity. Nobody is perfect and everyone makes mistakes. Do not be afraid to make mistakes as it is a way to truly enhance or sharpen your skillset and technical know-how.

Directly acknowledging your errors shows maturity and responsibility. Personally, I approach this by stating what went wrong, my role in the issue, and its effects. For example, "In reviewing our last campaign, I overlooked crucial analytics that misinformed our strategy. This was my error, and here’s how it impacted our results." This upfront admission sets the stage for constructive resolution and demonstrates personal accountability.

After recognizing a mistake, I delve into its consequences, discussing both immediate and potential long-term impacts with my manager. This involves a detailed breakdown, like, "This oversight could delay our next product rollout, potentially affecting our market competitiveness temporarily." Such transparency in outlining possible repercussions helps in formulating a well-informed corrective strategy.

When I present solutions, they are always actionable and specific. I might say, "To rectify the current issue, I suggest an accelerated review of our rollout plan, paired with targeted team workshops to prevent recurrence." Proposing specific steps demonstrates initiative and a commitment to turning challenges into improvement opportunities.

Always continue to learn and grow and never be afraid to ask questions or make any mistakes if this is your first time performing the task. I am sure your boss or manager will point them out to you where you have gone wrong and provide you the resolutions. Hence, embracing continuous learning and self-improvement is inevitable as you help you to becoming a better person and enhance your professional growth/development.

Every mistake is a growth point. I share with my boss what I’ve learned and how I plan to integrate these insights into my daily operations. For instance, "This mistake taught me the importance of cross-verifying data with team leads before finalizing reports. I’ve scheduled monthly check-ins as a new protocol." This reflection shows dedication to continuous personal and professional development.

Keeping the lines of communication open, especially after an error, is crucial. I make it a point to update stakeholders on corrective measures and progress, ensuring everyone is aligned. Regular updates help rebuild trust and confirm my commitment to resolving the issue effectively.

It’s important not to dwell on past mistakes but to use them as leverage for future success. I focus on future tasks and apply learned lessons to improve my workflow and results. Moving forward, I reinforce my professional resilience and ability to adapt, crucial traits in today's fast-paced work environments.

My concern here is that the question implies that someone needs to hide their mistakes from their manager. If an organisation is supportive, psychologically safe and willing to learn, there should be no need to hide anything.

The accountablilty ladder is great for this situation: Always: 1. Acknowledge reality - Realise there is a mistake, understand why and how it happened 2. Own it - Admit where you could have done better/acted differently but focus on what you can control. 3. Find solutions - Just admitting a mistake can often lead to questions of “what can you do to fix it?” So find a solution and be prepared to work hard for that solution too 4. Make it happen - Don’t assume that your mistake will be rectified. Take active steps to resolve any issues and from the very beginning, take action to mitigate the negative effects by allowing your problem solving, accountable and willingness mindset to shine through.