Business is human and humans make mistakes.
What is the relationship etiquette for human error?
When it all goes wrong, when human oversight turns a great opportunity into a potential reputation burner, it’s time to follow the four golden rules of relationship crisis management:
- Own it. Tell it all, tell it fast and tell it first. Lead from the front with the same gusto you employ when things are going well. How you react in a crisis says a great deal about you and your integrity. Relationships that survive a serious challenge often emerge stronger as a result.
- Make it as right it can be. What’s done can’t be changed. Instead, focus on what can be done to make it better? Turning lemons into lemonade may not always be possible, but make sure you have a plan to stem/improve/remedy the situation. Focusing in onmaking it right starts the process of rebuilding your damaged relationship.
- Take a good look in the mirror. A crisis may be an opportunity to justifiably rant and rage but you’d be well advised to put the issue into context. Was the issue a rare exception, the norm or start of an unwanted trend? If the issue is unlikely to be repeated, move on. Who wants to work with a tension-filled grump?
- Let time take its course. Time may not heal ALL wounds and the issue you face may be a deal breaker, but you’ll never get a second chance if you don’t ask.
Dawn follows the darkest night… keeping perspective and being prepared for a crisis before it happens will help you survive and thrive to sunnier times.
