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 RadicalCandor.com/podcast.
Episode Links:
Transcript
Barings Bank: Its Collapse, Acquisition, and Lessons Learned | Investopedia
I Fell Behind At Work And Fucked Up: How Do I Move Forward? | Reddit
Resources For Feedback Training, Coaching & Development | Radical Candor
How Delivering Bad News Early Strengthens Your Relationships at Work | Radical Candor
Why Procrastinators Procrastinate | Wait But Why
6 Steps for Setting Measurable Goals to Avoid "Productivity Paranoia" | Radical Candor
The Bob Story, a Tale of Ruinous Empathy | Radical Candor Podcast 4 | 1
Connect:
Website
Instagram
TikTok
LinkedIn
YouTube
Bluesky
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 megaphone.fm/adchoices