Trust grows when mistakes are disclosed before discovery makes disclosure unavoidable.

When something goes wrong, the timing of the telling is most of the message. Disclosing before anyone else finds out says you would rather be accurate than protected. Being found out first says the opposite, whatever explanation follows, and it colors everything afterward. People forgive the error and remember the sequence.

If something has gone wrong that nobody knows about yet, assume it will be discovered and act accordingly. Go first, be specific, and bring what you plan to do about it. The conversation is far easier than the one that happens later.