Freaking out that I made a tit of myself at work

[newmeoct2025]

I’ve been in my job six months. Last week a manager came over and asked me to pull up something on my computer screen. My mind went blank because I felt so flustered by this (he’s one of the most senior people in the office). I couldn’t recall how to do what he was asking and was faffing around for several minutes before I managed it. I’ve been getting good feedback in the role but now I’m worried I’ve scuppered all that with this one idiotic and embarrassing moment. I worry they will now see me as incompetent for not being able to do a basic task quickly and easily. My anxiety has been going into overdrive ever since. Does anyone have any advice?!

Unless it's a small company, you can relax, don't take this the wrong way, but "staff" are largely irrelevant to senior managers in large organisations. He won't even remember you and will have forgotten your existence by the time he stroked his own ego again.

Most people will.have had something like this happen. It's performance anxiety; a cognitive failure.

When it's happened to me, I either make a joke out of it or ignore it. Unless they're a complete wanker without any understanding of Humans and How They Work, they won't have given it a second thought.

Thank you. I work in a smallish team with him, but he’s the most senior person on the team and we rarely interact directly as I’m a junior. I worry this will have undone my good feedback I’ve had (including from him) to date.

Oh, thank you. I wish I’d made light of it at the time but was so flustered that it didn’t cross my mind!

No. I've said, "Believe it or not, I'm usually a functioning adult 😉" before.

Seriously, it doesn't matter. Most people will judge you on your ability to do your actual job. Not whether you've had a momentary brain fart at an unexpected request. That's just not being a machine.

Get a grip, OP!

My typing goes to shit as soon as somebody starts watching. I wouldn't worry

I'm not especially senior but when I've managed people my basic hope is that everyone is happy and the work is getting done. I don't look for problems.

If I was hi. I would be thinking

• did she show me what i asked for?
• is the work getting done well generally?
• has anyone complained about her?

Basically most people worth their salt take a big picture view and you'll be fine: you did the task and you're getting good feedback. Like bollocks would I add an extra task to my list to actively seek to find a problem with you because it will bring work to my desk. If my middle management team aren't raising it, I'd be satisfied that things are in order.

Glad it’s not just me!

If he is indeed that senior he will have completely forgotten the episode as will have a had a million other things going on since then.

I very much hope you’re right.

OP, I guarantee you that the senior person in question doesn't give a shit that you took a couple of minutes to find something on your computer. It's a non-event. He won't have been bothered about it at the time it happened and will have forgotten about it about 10 seconds later. Seriously.

Thank you for the reassurance. I truly hope so. I’m just worried I look incompetent as it was the most basic of tasks. I hope it hasn’t cast doubt on my ability to do other aspects of the job.

Have you posted this before OP?

Isn't that everyone?

It's just anxiety and I'm sure he thinks no less of you. Put it out of your mind and relax. Senior management are people too and they also fumble. They are also constantly in meetings so rest assured he forgot about it by the end of the day and ots a distant memory.

You were put on the spot and got a bit flustered. That's all. It's no more or less significant than that.

I think no one is as critical of us as we are.

I'm generally competent (I think) and started a new job a few weeks back.

At my first probation meeting, I fully expected to be told I needed to pull my socks up as I'd made a series of "I can't believe I did that" mistakes.

My report was glowing. My boss was absolutely thrilled with me and didn't mention mistakes at all.

Most people aren't 100% all the time, it's what managers are used to.

This has made me feel slightly less worried, thank you!

Not very helpful is it?! Considering the amount of kindness you've received on your other thread it's a shame you can't treat others with the same.

That's nothing. I walked back into a meeting after a trip to the loo with my skirt tucked I'm my granny pants.

Dont give it a second thought. That boss will have a million and one things on his mind you are not one of them. And if he did notice, I promise you, he will have a had at least one if not more cringe experiences of his own.

oh please don’t worry about it.

Im very senior in my role (some even say I’m a bit scary at firstwhen they get to know me more and feel more relaxed around me) and if I asked a member of staff to pull up a doc and they mucked about trying to get it I wouldn’t even remember it the next day. If you are a good member of staff and other people think it too they will like you and think you are great.

It’s the same as when people email “I have attached this document” and they don’t attach it. People do it all the time but I couldn’t even tell you who a week later!

Please don’t worry, people are really very self involved and don’t think about their colleagues that much.

Thank you. I’m still kicking myself but feeling slightly better.