SFS Minute 855: Admit it Fast

Every once in a while, something bad will happen at your business, and the way you respond will determine the future of that business. This week, we want to talk about what to do when there is a mistake or a problem at work. I'll tell you a story to get the ball rolling right after this. Along the time ago, I was running a program at Stanford University, we had a small fire, not that much damage. I was at the office of the person we were renting from at about 7:10. I knew they would always show up around 7:30, so I got there very early just to be there in case they said later that I hadn't shown up. That was the only reason we weren't kicked off campus immediately. The fact that I was there early, ready to admit that we had messed up, was what saved us. Admit your mistakes fast, everybody—that's the best way to get ahead of it.