I just made an awful mistake at work

[billandbeninsanfrancisco]

I don't know what to do with myself. It was on social media. A client I have really been trying to impress, I just accidentally posted the wrong thing. Something we had designed, I didn't notice a graphic had snuck in there to do with another campaign they don't support. I am very senior. She is really, really offended. It was late, I was tired. I'm massively overworked and doing jobs I shouldn't be doing. I don't need help fixing the problem (it's far too convoluted), but can anyone help me with the devastation?

I think may be I use MN differently. I don't do that 'hair shirt' thing to clients. This was just my inner thoughts. I sort of thought that was what this place was for. Maybe I am hard work(such a MN dig) though... off to ponder that!

I think that is a good strategy @ThickFast. I thought I'd mastered that actually. But then it sort of crumbles when you do actually make a mistake and you're right back as a 22 year old with zero resilience.

Think of all the things that other companies have done on Twitter. Awful things and some on purpose! This is a mistake, a human mistake and the fact that you’re so devastated shows what a good and kind person you are and the fact that you value their business also shows that you’re good at your job. I have messed up so much at work recently because I’ve been tired and stressed. Some were potentially huge PR disasters. A few weeks later and everyone has moved on to something else.

I'm not saying OP is hard work or martyrish. Most of us can fall into the trap of doing too much, it's pretty common. And working for free, or for virtually free, can often end up with a pretty tricky dynamic. Hope it didn't come across that I was being critical - I was just offering another perspective for OP to consider.

People make mistakes. How you deal with it define who you are.

Absolutely not @ScrimpshawTheSecond, I agreed with every word you said. It was a subsequent post that felt a little harsh! I agree with you, it is easy to fall into matyrdom in that client dynamic. You go into it with the best of intentions but it can often get unhealthy and more to the point not deliver.

Thank you @FrankieChips, it is very reassuring to hear of other people's mistakes, which is probably not healthy!!

All you can do is front it out. They are getting a great deal and if you had the resources you need they wouldn't be. And there wouldn't have been this mistake. Look at it as a shot across the bow - a wake up call to stop doing favours and start running a business with the people you need.

Customers don't thank you - it's up to you to charge the right amount and make sure you have enough people. They mysteriously'forget' that they are not paying market rate.

You've apologised - if they need to 'discuss' it again simply say "you are right. We don't have the staff in place and I'm doing too much. So we will get the staff in place but our rates will need to reflect that".

No one remembers the bargain - they only remember the service. Also possibly you are tired which is making this feel worse. No one died s as nd life goes on!

I think whilst @scrimshaw made a series of useful points that subsequent from another poster was off base by some distance.

I am also senior and cocked up recently. I think an unreserved apology with an overview of the procedure review you're doing to prevent a repeat is the optimal way. Then move it on.

Also, unless your firm is getting some benefit from this loss client you really ought to be dumping them.

No man would be posting about this. Watch some shit TV and move on.

I recently cost my firm £50k. 😬

I'm always honest with my line manager, even when I think it'll get me into trouble.
But, i avoided him for a bit, while I rehearsed exactly what I wanted to say.

So I told him and was fully expecting a bollocking, which never came.
He wasn't overjoyed obviously!
But it wasn't the end of the world and no one died.

OP - you've apologised, sincerely my lovely. I fail to see what else you can do, now.
And the offended party is just going to have to get over it. The world's a funny old place!

If people didn't make mistakes, they wouldn't put rubbers on pencils. 👍

I work for charities. In my long and also senior experience of fucking up, nearly fucking up (1%), and being awesome (99%), its the 1% I remember and the 99% they do. Be kind to yourself, please. Also charities are the worst for getting all frothy and pearl clutchy about the most minor of slightest of infractions. There's often some professional self righteousness thrown in. It becomes a thing for a little bit (a day, an hour) and then is totally forgotten. This too shall pass.

All I can say OP is been there - sent the successful awardee letter of a 20m contract to the 2nd placed bidder and vice versa plus revealed the details of one bidders weighted scores to another, FMFL it was awful plus I was 32 weeks preggers at the time it all kicked off.

Oh you poor thing OP, I’m shrivelling for you but it really will pass. Charities are right mardy arses to deal with as well, worse than Magic Circle law firms or the Big 4.

Sounds like it was just a mistake. There is no gain for you in doing it- either financially or to score brownie points, so it’s obvious it was a mistake.

Say sorry then move on. You move on by dealing with the emotion not ignoring it, then 20 minutes later it’s done and it’s time to move on.

Thank you so much everyone. You are all marvellous and frank and honest and have made me feel a lot better

Wine and crap telly done. Will pick myself up tomorrow.

Well done, @billandbeninsanfrancisco :)

These things happen OP. Most of us have made mistakes at work. Don’t worry, it seems bad at the moment, but I am sure it will blow over soon🌷

I’m the same OP. I give out that advice knowing full well that I also have no resilience when it comes to making mistakes. But it’s what I’m aiming for. Hope you feel better tomorrow or in a few days’ time. Did you ever read the ‘worst mistake I made at work’ thread?

Don't "over" apologise, as that will reinforce things.

Both clients are legit. Each client does not own you.

You are entitled to work for both.

I am in a different field but am always trying to get my staff to apologise less.

I've done worse. It was a few years ago - I still hate to think about it - it makes me cringe but I am confident that quite quickly no-one cared apart from me.

Many years ago when at the beginning of my career I messed something up that could have cost a client a lot of money. He said “Hopping I don’t judge people on making mistakes I judge them on fixing them” - that was over 20 years ago and I have never forgotten it in my work or personal life.

Hope the dust has settled, OP. If B is still banging on, please don’t apologise again; tell them that you’ve apologised, you’ve taken steps to prevent it happening again, and that it’s time to move on.