8/15/2025-“No WAY was that my fault.”

"Oh snap, I really screwed that one up! I’m in the doghouse now."

Okay, good. You acknowledge it to yourself, so how are you going to handle it with your customers?

Dog-ate-homework stories didn’t work with your school teachers, and they don’t work now with your sales manager. The same goes for your clients…and your dog.

Your dog cares about his next cookie.

Your manager cares about how you think through options and solutions.

Your clients want it fixed.

Own it, analyze it, try to fix it, learn from it…move on.

When you make your next mistake, follow this blueprint to help you manage the cover-up, err….um…to help you manage the issue:

1. What damage was created?

2. Who is involved, and when is the best time to approach them? (It may not always be right away.)

3. What are you going to say? (Sketch out a script.)

4. What did you learn from the mistake, and how can you prevent it from happening again?

Most importantly, throw no one under the bus. If it’s on you, take full ownership. It’s not only refreshing, but it’s the right thing to do.

Sincerity is everything when it comes to apologizing and admitting mistakes.

No excuses…

…unless you’re John Belushi as ‘Joliet’ Jake Blues in this classic 3-minute clip from the movie Blues Brothers.

Joliet Jake gives a master class on faulting everyone but himself for his transgressions.