Mistakes Can Improve Learning

"Criticism ... makes very little dent upon me, unless I think there is some real justification and something should be done."
  --- Eleanor Roosevelt

Jack Welch, the former CEO of General Electric, once said, "I've learned that mistakes can often be as good a teacher as success." Mr. Welch encouraged his employees to venture out and make mistakes. Of course, he wasn't promoting failure, but freedom. He wanted employees to dream, invent, and create.

If we believe that making mistakes improves learning, then why is it that our first reaction to an employee's mistake is to criticize him or her? Obviously, we believe that the mistake cost us money, but there is a better way to react.

"While criticism or fear of punishment may restrain us from doing wrong, it does not make us wish to do right."
 --- Bruno Bettelheim

The first step to take if someone on your team makes a mistake is to confront the employee in private. Nothing kills motivation in an employee faster than embarrassing them in front of coworkers and customers. Showing respect for the employee by going to a private location allows that person to "save face" and to be more receptive and less defensive to your statements.

"To make a criticism is a bit like complaining about the shape of the Pyramids."
 --- Piers Brendon

The second step is to remember to refrain from criticism. Someone may be asking, "How can I correct future mistakes without criticizing the employee?" The answer is that you point out the mistake only, but don't criticize the individual. Criticism only attacks the person, but does nothing to correct the mistake. The key is to keep the two separate.

Instead of saying "How could you allow this to happen? You are such a (fill in the blank)" You might try, "How did this happen?" Do you see the difference? The first approach focuses on the person. The second focuses on the incident, which is what you want corrected anyway.

"Any fool can criticize, condemn and complain...and most fools do."
  --- Dale Carnegie

The third step is to find an alternative way to approach employee mistakes. This gets tricky because you have to know the personalities of your team. Knowing what motivates each employee is essential to a successful team. Professional football and baseball coaches realize this simple fact. They study players and know what it takes to get each one to perform to their highest potential.

We don't have the resources that NFL teams have to examine each and every team member, but if they've been with you for even a short period of time, you can determine what it is that keeps them coming back to work. Customize this knowledge to address mistakes with every employee rather than taking the easy way by criticizing.

"Punishing honest mistakes stifles creativity. I want people moving and shaking the earth and they're going to make mistakes."
  --- Ross Perot

Finally, if the mistake was made because the employee was stretching outside of his or her job description, praise them for taking the risk. If all of your team members worked inside of their scope and you are the only one trying to take the company to new plateaus, you'll be dragging a heavy ship. It will be like swimming in glue. Your team needs the freedom to make some mistakes in order to help you achieve your business objectives.

Encourage co-workers and employees this week to take some chances. Listen to their ideas. They are in the trenches with their hands and minds working the projects daily. Ask for their input and empower them to act out those ideas that profit everyone.

Product Showcases

New Technology. New Techniques. New Orleans! - Specialty Imaging Comes Together at SGIA ’05
Diverse printing technologies converge at SGIA ’05 — and that makes it the one show you’ve been waiting for. Come to experience a world of new, lucrative opportunities for edging out the competition, increasing profit margins, retaining customers and attracting new ones. With more than 450 key suppliers and 50 of the industry’s best seminars, SGIA '05 is where the best ideas, new technologies, and exciting developments will come together to help you take your sign business to the next level. Register Online Now!
Read on...

Advertise here for just $90 per month.
Call or email for more details: 888-350-3357 ext. 201 or info@signindustry.com

Sign Industry News

Sign Marketplace Press Releases
See what's new and what's happening in our industry all in one place.
Go Now --->

---

INDUSTRY ALERT- Street Graphics and the Law
By International Sign Association

Find the history and impact of Street Graphics and the Law and see its recent revised release in October will have an impact on your clients rights and your businesses future if we don't intervene.
Read the article...