At Air France, acknowledgement of the "right to make mistakes" is gaining ground

"An admitted fault is half-forgiven". However, in the business world – and particularly in France – we must admit that this is not the case. Performance and success seem to have little room for mistakes that occur naturally.

Despite the fact that Air France is currently going through some very difficult times, the company has sought to change things in depth. One very productive approach consists of eliminating negative, guilt-ridden attitudes and instead objectively analysing and learning from mistakes in order to turn them into a real learning opportunity.

The airline's "Just and fair" initiative was a trailblazing effort. What was the real origin of the mistake: was it human (inattention, forgetfulness, lack of skill) or organisational (unsuitable procedure, unplanned event)? The problem is then examined in order to understand, while maintaining a positive attitude which seeks not so much to sanction as to learn.

In a document (1), the Executive Committee undertook to "ensure a just and fair managerial policy and not to initiate disciplinary proceedings against an employee who has voluntarily and promptly revealed a breach, except in the case of an intentional or repeated breach".

To encourage them to do so, employees have at their disposal a confidential discussion forum where they are invited to share the mistakes they have made as well as the difficulties or failures they have had to face.

¹ The "right to make mistakes" Charter.