Workplace Gaffes aka Did I Pronounce That Correctly?

How apropos! I may have already been guilty this week.

I just downloaded a new Dictionary.com Blackberry App (it’s free by the way, and no I’m not getting paid for this, though I would like a shiny new Blackberry for Christmas).

Anyway, the app has some great features including a searchable dictionary, thesaurus, words of the day (in English and Spanish), audio pronunciation of words, and the ability to select words in emails for a definition.

Though I believe it’s best to use the simplest word to get your point across, I also believe increasing your vocabulary is a must – but not at the expense of using or pronouncing the word incorrectly.

Other common workplace gaffes include mispronouncing someone’s name, addressing sensitive or personal email to the wrong recipient, and cutting someone off when they’re speaking.

So after you’ve made these, or similar workplace gaffes, how do you make it right?

First, the definition of gaffe from my new app (humor me!):

gaffe
[(gaf)]

-noun.
1. social blunder

According to Black Enterprise:

Most of us have been there. From unwittingly mispronouncing someone’s name to accidentally sending a sensitive e-mail to the wrong person to calling a co-worker a derogatory name, office gaffes are common.

Most are momentarily embarrassing but not memorable, but some can cause resentment, ignite office discord, and prompt your employers to rethink your competence. If the offender doesn’t express regret and correct their actions, such embarrassing or reckless mistakes have the potential to ruin their career.

Surveying business etiquette and career development professionals, the correcting advice includes:

• Take feedback seriously
• Apologize
• Adjust Your Actions
• Forgive Yourself

The first and last are probably the hardest.

More Services