🧠🧠🧠
So Let’s Talk About the Thing Everyone Pretends Doesn’t Happen
Mistakes.
I’m talking about that typo in the big email, the wrong attachment, the deadline you misread…
The thing you mispronounced in front of someone with “Chief” in their title… one time I got a C-Suite leader’s title wrong on a company-wide presentation….the feeling that came over my body….
Corporate life acts like these moments are rare — they’re not.
They’re inevitable… very human and predictable.
Yet somehow the moment one happens, people start acting like they’ve committed a felony.
Somewhere along the way, we turned mistakes into career threats instead of learning moments.
And guess what? People don’t grow when they’re terrified.
People will only grow when they’re trusted enough to try again.
This issue is for anyone who has ever spiraled at 2AM wondering if one misstep means “I’m done here”…
or for leaders trying to build cultures where mistakes aren’t treated like deeply rooted character flaws.
Let’s get into it.
🧰🧰🧰
Toolbox: How to a Build Culture Where Mistakes Don’t Become Corporate Trauma
Ask questions before reacting.
When something goes sideways, the first move needs to be curiosity.
Try:
“Walk me through what happened.”
People tend to shut down when they feel…well... hunted. They open up when they feel heard.
Focus on repair instead of replaying the failure.
Nine times out of ten.. people already know exactly what they messed up.
Replaying it doesn’t create growth.
Create a path forward:
“Here’s what we’ll try next time.”
Remove the performance pressure.
People can’t learn when they’re bracing for a humiliation ritual.
A mistake shouldn’t cost someone their dignity.
Give feedback without a courtroom setup.
Feedback lands better when it isn’t delivered like a closing argument.
Set the tone early:
“We’re here to understand, not interrogate.”
Look at the system, not just the individual.
If the same mistake keeps happening across the team, that’s probably not a personal failure. The environment shapes the outcome more than people want to admit.
🚩🚩🚩.
Unsustainable Behavior of the Week
Mentally packing your plants and mugs because your brain swears you’ll be fired by Friday.
Relax. HR is too busy telling grown adults to not run with scissors in the hallway.
✨✨✨
One to Think About
A short, sharp insight to carry through your day.
True learning….the learning that people typically don’t forget…is from that moment directly after a mistake is made. Sorry.
If people hide their mistakes, the culture isn’t safe.
If they surface them early, the culture works.
That difference shapes everything.
🛑🛑🛑
Nervous System Break
A quick reset for your overworked brain.
For anyone who replayed a mistake 47 times this week, at least try to remind yourself of one of these things:
“One moment won’t define my capability.”
“I’m allowed to learn without shame.”
“This is repairable.”
“I can be human and still be respected.”
Say one of them.
Let your nervous system unclench. One mistake doesn’t mean your exit paperwork is being drafted.
Reply All (Just Kidding, Just to Me)
This will always be a space to share stories, rants, and reflections.
If you’ve been carrying a mistake longer than the moment required, you’re in good company.
If you need to name something so it stops living rent-free in your brain, send a note.
Sometimes speaking it out loud is the real repair.
Until Next Time!
May your next email actually find you well.
P.S.
New here? Be sure to connect on LinkedIn or IG below.
