How To Make A Comeback After You've Let People Down

A bad reputation can be reversed, and it's possible to make a comeback after you've let others down. In this video you'll learn 3 smart ways to repair the damage and fix a bad reputation.

1. Take a walk in their shoes. List all the people you've let down and how your actions affected them. This is a great way to see their perspective and will help you fix a bad reputation by communicating clearly.

2. Have a heart to heart and, put it in writing. Whether it's in person or over the phone, try this script to fix a bad reputation and make a comeback:
"As you know, last year was rough and while I'm thrilled to be back -- it may be hard for you to trust me again. I apologize for the problems I caused and you have my word, it will never happen again. I'm committed to this company and to its success. In fact, here's my plan to make sure it never does, and here's what I'll do to make it up to you, if you'll give me the chance."

3. Don't talk about it, be about it. Actions speak louder than words when you're trying to repair a bad reputation. Take the focus off what others might think and be a pro about it. Remember, people love a good comeback!

Have you ever had to make a comeback and repair a bad reputation? How did you do it?

Thanks for watching!

[Misslotusification]

My past mistakes have haunted me for years, sapping my self-confidence and strenght until I realized the people I let down didn't think about it any more so I was the only miserable one + the people in my life. I wrote a very apologetic draft and when I read it a couple of years after I could mesure how negative I was. I believe you're ready to have a 2d chance when you want to talk more about your future collaboration than about your past mistakes...

[takebanee]

I had recently pushed people around me away and I didn't know how to apologize until I watched this video and now it gave me the courage to be honest with myself and to admit my mistakes. Love you videos btw and I always love your outfits too! God Bless! :)

[SunitaDe]

This is fantastic advice: Especially what you put in writing. I still am a firm believer that if someone gives you their WORD it holds up just as much as it did hundreds of years ago. It's your name, and that is your reputation. It's human to make mistakes but to correct them in a classy manner is incredibly impressive.

[melvinsir]

I have let some people down. People who work hard. I haven’t made my comeback yet. But now I know what I need to do. I’ll come back here and update once I’ve made the comeback.

[clairewillow]

The “actions speak louder than words” part is my favourite. I’m learning to ignore all the words “blah blah blah” talk is cheap!!! Some people talk a good talk and let you down when it counts

[someone]

Hi Marie, I want to share a story as a customer of a company that Let me down


I had ordered t-shirts from a print company but they messed up the delivery address and as a result I got the stuff late.


They apologized sincerely. They acknowledged their fault instead of making excuses, they said "we messed this up, apologizing won't fix it but we are really sorry and will do what it takes to earn your trust again". They didn't charge us for that delivery, and over-delivered on the next order

[Miyankochan]

Hi Marie! I'm currenty reading your book (Make every man want you) and I can honestly say, I love it! Love your examples and this is finally something I can relate to. Not too theoretical, with lots of tips and advice and what I love most is the fact that you give a mix of all those ideas I have been reading in the past years. It makes me so happy that I understand most of your references. Keep up the awesome work!

[edwinherrera]

Marie, you have an amazing way to spire everyone of us.

[Sean.Vosler]

First step when you let people down... ALWAYS take responsibility for your actions, better yet if you can stomach it - it's sometimes appropriate to take the heat for things outside of your control. If you were unsuccessful because of someone else's actions (like a subcontractor) don't sit there and blame them, after all it was your responsibility even if it wasn't your fault.

Long story short, there are a lot of REASONS things go wrong, but there are normally no excuses. Stay humble :)

[fullyshimmer]

I always believe after u mess up the trust isn't there, thanks Marie I think with a plan like this trust can be rebuilt

[jessicacarapella]

I love this video, and I think this is a wonderful way to build trust after letting people down. I think the only thing I'm confused about is how in this case with ben, it was sort of out of his control being that he was seriously ill. It's not an easy feat to get through. I know that work is important and that depending upon what position you're in, a lot of people may be counting on you, though if that person is going through serious illnesses I don't see how that qualifies as a "mistake" so much as it is an unintentional and unfortunate event. There's got to be a better way of taking care of people while they are dealing with that sort of a thing, and i just feel as if the company should have been more supportive. After all, it's not like he was just putzing around for a year. Unless I've missed something in this video, I feel like there should have been a different answer for that specific situation.

[lei]

Recently, my best friend and I got into a fight. Our friend group broke apart a long time ago because my two closest friends, kayla and jailyn, weren’t friends anymore bc of something I will not say. My best friend jailyn said she never wanted to be friends with Kayla again. But I forgot all about that. I was busy trying to get the group back together, which I did. Cause all my other friends chose to forgive kayla. Jailyn didn’t want to, and since I forgot what jailyn said about kayla, I pushed her to try. It pains me, that I now just realize how much I messed up. I was too happy to acknowledge her feelings and opinions. She pretended for so long, just for the group. It makes me realize how bad of a friend I am. Forgetting what she felt about it. I still don’t feel like it’s real. I really messed up, I wish It could go back to the way it used to be.

[oceannsun]

Cont..He did not share the former discomforts. I do not need booze and all wouldve been avoided if I knew his discomfort. I apologized, he needed to process this. I want to respect his space. He did say I love u and wont throw this away. Yet needs process to be sure future plans are the same.

[gabbytangassi]

Marie, I think newsletter subscribers need backstage pass with a link to your complete interpretation of that song. It was great!

[flymethemoon]

Oh man..I'm in the same boat right now..I started a lawncare buisness just about a year ago..I'm doing it solo right now and have grown very quickly.i pushed really hard 7 days a week for a year now and its paid off..however about a month ago things changed i believe i wore myself down..i couldnt get myself to leave the house i missed appointments, I didnt reach out like I normally would and contact my clients...the more that happened the harder for me to face them..I'm going through it right now theres customers I've avoided cuz I feel ashamed..I'm terrified I'm going to lose what I've worked so hard for..I'm down here in florida and working outside from sun up to sun down and can be horriable with this heat..how do I face these people with integrity..should I send out a bulk email explaining what happened and why I disappeared..the physical and mental fatigue has overwhelmed me and I just stepped back..now my anxiety and stress has set in over what I've done and dont know what to do

[csgaiao]

I already do all that. Thats why i dont think i deserve opportunities and second chances. Forever stuck at the bottom

[oceannsun]

I let me and my boyfriend down bad! Im in deep pain and badgering myself. I apologize after it but he hasn't reached out in days.

[someone]

And they made sure it never happened again. Honestly I can tell you, even though I was very mad when they messed up, I forgot the whole thing and trust them 100% now and would still recommend them to friends and co-workers

[randomguythatexists]

I failed my friend for not showing up at his house. It felt so painful to fail a friend. 😖😭😢🙁😐

[hugthemouse]

How can he say it will never happen again, when he was seriously ill... poor chap.