- Acknowledge your mistake proactively
- Take full responsibility (no excuses)
- Make amends where possible
- Commit to specific behavior changes
- Ask for the chance to earn it back
You can't erase mistakes.
You can earn back trust.
The "Broken Windows Theory" of Trust
Small violations predict larger ones. Missing deadlines. Showing up late to meetings. Forgetting commitments. These aren't minor issues. They're the first sign of trust erosion. Fix them immediately or watch your credibility fade away.
The top performers all follow the same 5-step oversight system that drives results without micromanaging their teams.
Here's exactly how they do it:
1. Create Clarity
Establish 5 parameters upfront:
⢠Outcome: What success looks like
⢠Quality: What signals done
⢠Method: Agree on how the work gets done
⢠Timeline: Set clear milestones and deadlines
⢠Risk: The boundaries for autonomy
2. Preview Your Approach
Calibrate oversight based on:
⢠How critical the work is
⢠Their confidence in the person
Then communicate the plan:
⢠"I'll check in at these specific points..."
⢠"Here's how I'll measure progress..."
Every company has a North Star metric:
⢠SaaS: Net Revenue Retention
⢠Consumer: Monthly Active Users
⢠Retail: Revenue Per Square Foot
⢠Manufacturing: Margin Per Unit