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:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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  Transcript

  
  


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  Barings Bank: Its Collapse, Acquisition, and Lessons Learned | Investopedia

  
  


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  I Fell Behind At Work And Fucked Up: How Do I Move Forward? | Reddit

  
  


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  Resources For Feedback Training, Coaching & Development | Radical Candor

  
  


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  How Delivering Bad News Early Strengthens Your Relationships at Work | Radical Candor

  
  


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  Why Procrastinators Procrastinate | Wait But Why

  
  


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  6 Steps for Setting Measurable Goals to Avoid "Productivity Paranoia" | Radical Candor

  
  


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  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

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