Imagine one of your employees has been negligent in a way that caused damages to another person or entity for which your business is now liable. We are not talking about a deliberate wrong being committed against someone or something, but an honest mistake. Our instinct is that if someone makes a vital mistake, then get rid of him or her!
But people all make mistakes! You will make mistakes, especially in your early days in business. We live in a broken world where people are imperfect, businesses are imperfect, and even our relationships are flawed. Mistakes will happen. What is important is you as a leader, are mentoring those who receive your instructions. They are in the process of growing. They are learning. They will stumble and make mistakes. Unfortunately, some of those mistakes may be costly.
Below is a story of how one executive handled a mistake:
An executive secretary to the president of a large corporation made a costly mistake. It cost the company $50,000. She was devastated and brought her letter of resignation to the president explaining, ‘I realize what a dumb thing I did. I am very sorry. I know that it cost the company $50,000. Here is my letter of resignation.’”
“Are you crazy?’’ he thundered. “I have been teaching you every week. Now you’ve made a big mistake. I have just invested $50,000 in your education and you’re going to leave? No, ma’am. You are not going to leave. You have cost me too much to lose my investment in you.”
She stayed and became an extraordinary executive.
One-Minute Businessman’s Devotional by Mike Murdock (1992).
How would Jesus respond to a mistake like this? He would forgive and pray wisdom for His child so he or she could be prepared for the next situation.
Leaders are responsible for mistakes made on their watch, even if someone else made them. The people you lead need to feel your support. They need to know you will cover their backs in a crisis, and mistakes will be handled with grace. And, remember, sometimes it might just be you needing that grace and forgiveness from your employer.
As a manager, how can you balance grace and accountability?
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