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How to Recover From a Career Mistake Without Destroying Your Reputation
Description
We all make mistakes at work — a botched presentation, a missed deadline, a poorly worded email that goes viral internally. But the difference between a career setback and a career-ending event often comes down to how you handle the recovery. In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the anatomy of a workplace mistake and the specific steps you can take to rebuild trust and credibility. Drawing on research from Wharton professor Maurice Schweitzer on the 'apology paradox' and a real case involving a product launch misstep at a major tech company, they explain why owning up early, focusing on repair rather than blame, and demonstrating learning are more effective than trying to deflect or minimize. They also discuss when an apology can backfire and how to gauge the severity of the transgression. If you've ever made a professional error and worried it would define you, this episode offers a practical roadmap for recovery.