1. Hitting the wrong button
The humble email causes more red faces than almost any other form of communication. A private joke can quickly become a public embarrassment if you select 'reply all' instead of just 'reply'. You could suddenly become internationally famous after accidentally sending an intimate email to someone with a name similar to your boyfriend's!
Humiliation could be only the start of the problem. Stories abound of what happens when hapless employees mistakenly send bitchy, jokey or bad-taste emails to their bosses or clients. You could harm your company's image, you could lose business - you could get the sack.
One of the best ways of limiting the damage is to send an apology straight away entitled - 'We all make mistakes... and I just made a big one!' Failing that, you could follow the example of the employee who sent the whole company's salary details to all staff. He immediately set off the fire alarm to give himself time to manually delete the email from everyone's desktops!
But to avoid committing all sorts of horrendous faux pas, take time to think about what you've written. The best advice is to think twice before you send anything - easier said than done!

2. Not ready for a meeting
It could be a team briefing or an important meeting with a valuable client. You meant to prepare thoroughly, but somehow time ran out and in the end you went along completely unprepared. When that happens there are only two options – keep quiet or bluff your way through and hope for the best.
The first law of bluff is not to get found out. So it's not a good idea to waffle on about cash flow to the company accountant. But it may be OK to discuss budgets with members of the HR department, who may not be so quick to see through your ignorance of the facts.
It's all right - sometimes - to admit your lack of knowledge. People will respect the occasional dash of honesty. There are also innumerable ploys of replying without answering the question – politicians do this all the time.
Usually the best solution is to talk straight and listen to what others have to say. On the whole you are likely to impress far more than those who try to pretend they know.

3. Overheard gossiping
You're standing by the water cooler. You've heard something mind-blowing and just can't wait to share it with your best mate. Out it comes. 'Have you heard?' 'You'll never guess!' 'Do you know what the b**** did?' Suddenly, horror - you realise that the subject of your gossip is close at hand and she has almost certainly overheard every word.
We all love chit-chat; it's normally a harmless way of social bonding, of developing our values and of learning about others' lives. Betraying confidences or indulging in malicious gossip can be very hurtful and dangerous. And being overheard by the subject of our gossip is almost as embarrassing as sending a private email to the wrong person.
If the worst happens and you know that you've been overheard, you do have choices. It may not be necessary to catch the first plane to Rio if the person will accept a sincere apology. Another option is to turn away and pretend you don't realise that you've been overheard. But that's the coward's way out.
So how best to avoid such clangers? One top tip is to avoid malicious gossip or insulting people in the workplace. If you value your career, you'll just have to keep that delicious snippet of gossip for the pub!

4. Smashed at the office party
If all you did was get drunk and talk rubbish, don't worry – chances are everyone else got smashed, too. The same goes for minor incidents like falling over or dancing with the Christmas tree. The other guests will probably have been so busy having a good time that they won't even have noticed. You can apologise if you have to, but there's no need to go overboard - it's far better just to make a joke at your own expense. At least it shows you know how to let your hair down and have a good time.
More serious action is called for if you insulted someone or tried to seduce the managing director. It doesn't matter whether or not you meant every word you said, seek the person out as soon as possible and apologise unreservedly for your behaviour. Say you're sorry - it was the booze talking. Everyone gets drunk and acts like an idiot at some time and few will bear a grudge if you apologise afterwards. You have to work together, after all.

5. Tip of the tongue
Being poor at remembering names leads to many an awkward moment: you forget someone's name seconds after meeting them; you want to introduce colleagues to each other, but can't remember one of their names; an acquaintance greets you warmly, but you can't put a name to her face.
The problem is that forgetting people's names implies that you don't care about them. Not a good idea if the people concerned are close colleagues or important customers. Sometimes it's possible to hide the memory lapse – but don't flick an eyelid, or the game will be up. If you really have to admit your fault, do so openly and with a sincere apology. Most people will understand the problem all too well.
Usually the problem isn't memory at all - it's concentration. You'll only succeed in recalling names if you make a conscious effort to memorise them in the first place. Make sure you examine a person's face carefully - but discreetly! - when you're introduced. Try to find an unusual feature – hair, nose, ears, eyebrows, eyes, mouth, complexion. Then create a visual association between that characteristic, the face and the name. For example, if she's a blonde Angela, create a mind-picture of her as an angel.
Another trick is to ask for the name to be repeated and use it as often as possible in the course of conversation. After you have parted, review the name and your associations several times. Sounds like hard work, but it can be done, and just think how impressed people will be when you remember their names so quickly!