The fear of making mistakes is one of the basic stumbling blocks to learning. So that its staff do not fear exploring new ideas, making mistakes and learning from them, MinLaw launched a new column in its quarterly newsletter, MinLaw Line, called “Back on Track”.

The column shines the spotlight on members of MinLaw’s core management team who share an occasion when they had made a mistake. They also share their perspective of making mistakes and learning from them.

The idea for this column was inspired by Singapore Airlines’ (SIA) approach to staffs’ mistakes. At SIA, mistakes are treated as important learning steps. The emphasis is on recovery and learning and not “crucifying the culprit”. As a result, staff are less likely to be defensive and more prepared to admit and rectify mistakes or omissions quickly.

DS shares a genuine mistake he made
The first story in the column was contributed by our Deputy Secretary (DS). He shared about how he had mistaken an early Sunday morning flight for a late Sunday night flight.

DS reached the airport on Sunday evening thinking he would be catching the after-midnight flight at 1 am. However, he was 24 hours late for his flight. Fortunately, the airline staff managed to book the next flight for him, and he arrived at his destination early Monday morning just on time for his business meeting.

In the story, DS said management recognises that to err is human and that management is no different from rank and file officers. He gave this piece of advice: “To avoid making mistakes would be to sit back and do nothing. That is not tenable. The wiser way is to acknowledge our mistakes, review what we have done, learn from them and move on.”

Getting the right message across
Since the first Back On Track story was published, three more management staff have been featured in the newsletter.

The column has been warmly received by MinLaw’s staff. As one staff put it: “I am now able to see that our leaders are tolerant of genuine mistakes. The column helps to communicate the right message to staff. We should all learn from our mistakes, and not repeat them.”