There is an old saying "The coverup is always worse then the crime" This is usually true. I am of the belief that most situations can be spun into a positive situation. Say you fucked up and your clients unhappy. Most people would lie or argue with your client to try to get out of it. A smart person would say "listen, i fucked up, i'm sorry, i'm sure you want to cancel on me and i understand that but is there anything i can do to win back your business?" most likely there is. You were humble and transparent and hones and you probably will get a second chance.

This also happens to work with wives and girlfriends and is ever popularized on tv. How many times have we seen the husband cheat, then admit to it, apologize and sweet talk to the wife into letting him back in the house so he can put his shorts back on? Opposed to denying it - and that's when the pan hits him atop his head.

I recently co-opted a contest and a girl that i was friendly with got offended and said she no longer took me seriously personally or professionally - now you guys all know that I DON'T Take myself too seriously ever - but i don't like to lose friends. So what did I do ? I did a public post to 5000 influential people in the industry explaining exactly what I did and apologizing directly to her in a public forum. I was the guy on my knees in the courtyard. It worked. It got her to call me back and it also got a lot of people to see who I am in the community. I could not buy better press.

Think about it...