As an Architect, you are not only a professional, but at times you show your humanity by making mistakes.
Rather than hiding mistakes or passing blame to someone else, addressing mistakes with clients minimizes risks for all involved parties, including yourself and contractors.
It’s crucial to understand and acknowledge responsibility for mistakes promptly, prioritizing trust in order to maintain a professional reputation. To avoid errors which is preferrable, establish and follow robust processes, including third-party reviews and adherence to industry standards.
Communication is key when challenges arise. Promptly inform clients, taking ownership, proposing solutions, and, if applicable, bearing the cost of corrections. The “golden rule” applies: treat clients as you’d expect to be treated, aiming to exceed expectations in resolving problems.
After resolution, analyze the root cause, implement preventive measures, and maintain transparency to rebuild trust. Doing any business entails risks, but ethical conduct minimizes the extent of failures.