I am currently the model of unacceptable incompetence and it hurts…bad.
Let me explain. During the past week I have missed an introductory phone call with an important new business prospect twice.
That’s right…the same prospect… twice. And this is after I invested the better part of a month to lock in a date and time to speak with this senior field marketer.
There are a number of reasons for my misstep, including a flakey Outlook calendar and attention paid to a myriad of work-related deliverables.
Ultimately, the excuses are meaningless and irrelevant. I demonstrated a lack of respect for a prospect’s time and, in doing so, reflected poorly on myself and Strategic Communications Group (Strategic).
Why do I share this with you?
Well…everyone messes up something, somewhere at some time. Someone who tells you otherwise is either: a) a liar or b) delusional.
It is how a person responds to flaws and failures that reflects their professionalism. I have always embraced a three step approach:
- Own up to it…and fast.
- Learn from the mistake and take action to avoid a repeat.
- Share the experience with your colleagues, contacts and connections. Success stories are wonderful, yet people often learn more from an experience gone awry.