A mistake caught early deserves attention before embarrassment teaches everyone to hide it.

How a first small error is received sets the price of honesty for everyone watching. If owning up costs someone their dignity, the next mistake goes quiet, and quiet mistakes grow. What looks like a culture of carelessness is often just a culture where telling the truth early proved expensive.

Deal with the next small error plainly, and let the person keep their footing. Ask what would make it easier to catch next time rather than who let it through. Say plainly that you would rather hear it early, and then behave that way when you do.