Today, I want to share a personal story that will make you feel right at home in the sometimes chaotic world of running your business as an online coach or course creator.
And if you have a virtual assistant, you'll want to watch this video because I'll share an insight on handling situations when your VA has task bloopers or makes mistakes. I'm hoping to share what it feels like for a VA who made a mistake in a task while also sharing my experience as a client who at one point in time had a team member make a mistake with tasks too.
So, we all know that mistakes happen, and believe me, I've had my fair share of slip-ups. But what truly sets apart the success stories from the fiascos is how we handle those inevitable blunders.
Embrace the Learning Curve
It goes without saying —we're all human. We make mistakes; it's like riding a unicycle for the first time. We're wobbly, uncertain, and prone to falls. But hey, that's all part of the learning curve, right? So, when your virtual assistant sends you an email with that dreaded "Oops, I'm so sorry I messed up." subject line, take a deep breath and hold your horses before you reply with an angry email. Because incidents like that could actually turn into an opportunity for growth.
The Power of Perspective
Here's a little secret I've learned over almost 20 years of working in this industry: perspective is everything. Instead of viewing the mistake as a roadblock, consider it a detour leading to a more refined path. In the past, I worried, fussed over, and even cried over my mistakes and it took me a long time to realize that mistakes are stepping stones into becoming a better virtual assistant and service provider for clients. It's not about the mistake itself, but how you actually respond to it that truly matters.
Cultivating an Environment of Openness
Communication is the lifeblood of any successful partnership, and the same holds true for the relationship between you and your virtual assistant. When a mistake occurs, try to approach the conversation with an open mind and a genuine desire to understand what happened. If you can, foster an environment where your VA feels comfortable sharing their side of the story, ideas for improvement, and potential solutions.
The Art of Constructive Feedback
We've all received feedback that made us cringe, right? But let me tell you, there's an art to delivering feedback that inspires growth rather than deflates morale. When discussing the mistake with your virtual assistant, focus on the behavior or action rather than attacking their character. Your team will appreciate it so much if you offer specific, constructive feedback and guide them toward improvement. Now that I'm technically a client myself, I sometimes forget that my VA team members want to succeed just as much as I want to. Because who on earth wants to fail, right?
Building Trust and Collaboration
Trust is the glue that secures and fortifies any successful partnership together. By approaching mistakes with a spirit of collaboration, you demonstrate that you value your VA's skills and expertise. Involve them in finding solutions, brainstorm ideas together, and create a foolproofing strategy to prevent similar mishaps in the future. Together, you'll forge a stronger bond and achieve remarkable results.
Now, let me share a little anecdote from my own virtual assistant journey. There was a time when I made a mistake that felt like a tidal wave crashing down on me. I was ready to pack my bags and call it quits but my client surprised me with their response. I was so scared about making the task booboo that I quickly wrote my resignation letter, and then they said, "Hey, you're not getting rid of me that easily. I need you on my team, so let's fix this together because you are NOT this mistake. You ARE my team. This mistake is not your identity."
Mind blown!
Continuing the Journey Together
When your virtual assistant makes a mistake, remember that it's not the end of the world, rather, it's a stepping stone toward growth and improvement. Embrace the learning curve, cultivate an environment of openness, deliver constructive feedback, and build a partnership grounded in trust and collaboration. Don't forget to share this experience with your fellow entrepreneurs and make them realize that it is more important to continue the journey together and Delegate Like a BOSS!
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