What is your tolerance for errors?

July 7, 2011

When you make a signifcant error (something that costs you $100, $1,000, $100K, or $1 M–or whatever “significant” means for you), how soon do you forgive yourself? Do you ever lose trust in yourself? What is your tolerance for errors?

When coworkers, friends, or loved ones make a significant error that affects you, how soon do you forgive them? Do you lose trust in them and, if so, how long does it take before that trust is restored?

Trust and forgiveness depend, in part, on the length and depth of the relationship. You might be more quick to trust a coworker who has proven reliable over a number of years. You might not forgive a friend who isn’t particularly close.

Sometimes we’re unreasonably hard on ourselves or others when it comes to trust and forgiveness. Strive for consistency. Lead with compassion and forgiveness, rather than judgment.

Hold people accountable, yourself included, but don’t maintain a double standard–unless someone has proven themselves error-prone, in which case you ought not to have placed great trust in that person.

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