What Not to Say When a Team Member Makes a Mistake..
When one of your team makes a mistake, what do you say?
You might feel frustrated or angry, and ask something like “What were you thinking?” or “What went wrong?” but those kinds of past-focused questions only reinforce the mistake and make the person feel defensive.
Instead, ask a question that looks forward: “How will you do it differently next time?”
Focusing on the future this way allows the person to acknowledge their mistake and demonstrate what they’ve learned. Additionally, it shows that you’re confident in the person’s abilities and gives you the chance to point out any problems in their thinking.
Future-focused questions aren’t easy to ask when your emotions are hot.
Take a deep breath before speaking, and remember that your goal in this situation is to help your team member grow — not to make them feel worse than they already do.
This tip is adapted from “What to Say When Your Employee Makes a Mistake,” by Peter Bregman
Who are JSL Solutions?
We are an established, reputable and ethical recruitment consultancy committed to working to the highest industry standards. We promote good practice through our proven experience, methods and processes. Our professional and dedicated team have over 50 years of industry experience to partner with you to find the right talent or the right business.
We specialise in:
Automotive recruitment
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We can be contacted on 01270 845344, email us at info@jsl-solutions.com or visit us at www.jsl-solutions.com.
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