We’ve all been there—that heart-sinking moment when you realize you’ve messed up at work. Kim, Jason, and Amy discuss how to recover from a big mistake without letting self-blame take over. Inspired by a Reddit post about a project that fell months behind, they share lessons from their own experiences, practical ways to take responsibility, and how to follow through with a recovery plan that actually works. You’ll learn why asking for support is a strength, not a weakness, and how managers can identify trouble early, check in effectively, and foster a culture where it’s safe to speak up before problems escalate. Whether you’ve missed a deadline, dropped the ball, or just want to be ready if things go sideways, this episode will help you rebuild trust and turn a setback into an opportunity for growth.
Get all of the show notes at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠<a href="https://www.radicalcandor.com/podcast/epic-fail-work-mistake-7-34">RadicalCandor.com/podcast</a>⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Episode Links:<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/lead-change-better-new-way-communicate-whats-coming-radical-candor-qjync/?trackingId=NXtTYr6JemuVTHWOuttCSA%3D%3D">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</a>
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<a href="https://share.descript.com/view/MM9KB6vHGuY">Transcript</a>
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<a href="https://www.investopedia.com/terms/b/baringsbank.asp">Barings Bank: Its Collapse, Acquisition, and Lessons Learned | Investopedia</a>
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<a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/careerguidance/comments/1m5onxy/i_fell_behind_at_work_and_fucked_up_how_do_i_move/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button">I Fell Behind At Work And Fucked Up: How Do I Move Forward? | Reddit</a>
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<a href="https://www.radicalcandor.com/resources">Resources For Feedback Training, Coaching & Development | Radical Candor</a>
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<a href="https://www.radicalcandor.com/blog/bad-news-early">How Delivering Bad News Early Strengthens Your Relationships at Work | Radical Candor</a>
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<a href="https://waitbutwhy.com/2013/10/why-procrastinators-procrastinate.html">Why Procrastinators Procrastinate | Wait But Why</a>
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<a href="https://www.radicalcandor.com/blog/setting-goals-productivity-paranoia">6 Steps for Setting Measurable Goals to Avoid "Productivity Paranoia" | Radical Candor</a>
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<a href="https://www.radicalcandor.com/podcast/s4-mini-episode-1-the-bob-story-a-tale-of-ruinous-empathy">The Bob Story, a Tale of Ruinous Empathy | Radical Candor Podcast 4 | 1</a>
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Connect:
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Chapters:

(00:00:00) Introduction
Kim, Jason, and Amy introduce a Redditor’s dilemma about falling months behind on a project.

(00:02:59) When Big Mistakes Happen
Stories of mistakes and why they feel so personal. 

(00:04:05) From Lost to Regained Credibility
Why credibility is already damaged—and how to earn it back.

(00:06:20) Getting Away With Mistakes
How getting away with a risky choice makes it tempting to repeat. 

(00:08:32) Procrastination or Denial?
Recognizing the difference and the risk to your reputation.

(00:12:31) Acknowledging the Mistake
Why the first step to regaining credibility is admitting the error.

(00:15:34) Kim’s Story of Denial
A personal startup experience, health struggles, and hard truths.

(00:20:29) Accountability Without Punishment
Why admitting mistakes doesn’t mean beating yourself up.

(00:21:40) The Manager’s Role
How leaders can spot issues early and make bad news safe to share.

(00:26:34) Escaping the “Death March”
Breaking the cycle of repeated missed deadlines.

(00:29:45) Preventing Crisis With Goal Tracking
How visibility helps identify delays before they become disasters.

(00:33:09) A Plan to Rebuild Trust
Steps for repairing credibility with your boss and peers.

(00:36:11) Cognitive vs. Affective Trust
The two sides of workplace trust and how to restore them.

(00:38:04) Radical Candor Tips
Advice for self-forgiveness, peer support, and managing accountability.

(00:41:37) Conclusion Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href="https://megaphone.fm/adchoices">megaphone.fm/adchoices</a>

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