When it was not your fault, but your superior, should you tell?

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A person was being complained by the customer. It was said that he gave the wrong company's name to the customer, resulting in failing of the cheque deposit.

 The customer was very upset because he didn't get to purchase the company's product on the promotion period. Hence, this customer sent a complain e-mail to the company, saying that "The sales person provide me the wrong company's name, causing the failing of the cheque deposit. It should be SS Corporation instead of SS Cooperation. I am very disappointed with the attitude of the sales person."

This person felt so innocent.  He was not a person that was so careless neither irresponsible. The name 'SS Cooperation' was given by his superior verbally. However, he could not blame his superior. But at the same time, he was unhappy to take all the blame by himself.

If you were him, how should you tell the superior?

Even with one single word, you must think before you speak.
Even though your words are small words like a fluttering butterfly, it is felt as shocking as a typhoon to others, and so their hearts crumble, they stumble, and they are discouraged as a result of those words.
-- Pastor Joshua Jung

It is really tough.

If you say, "Boss, sorry it's my fault." You feel so unfair. People may think that you really are a person who simply do your job.

If you say, "Boss, it was you who told me that." Your boss may be mad and think, "so you are trying to blame me huh?!" And you may be in trouble later on.

Communication is indeed something that need more effort. Sometimes you have to be frank but sometimes you cannot be too frank.

So in this sitiation, should you be frank or not be frank?

Try to be frank while lower yourself down.

Why not you try this?

Appologize first.

"I'm sorry to caused such a misunderstanding. I didn't expect that it turned out like that. What I heard wasn't what you were trying to tell me. I appologize for not checking with you. "

You try to address the problem from both sides, you and your superior. Of course you cannot say that "hey boss, you didn't tell me the correct spelling." So you say sorry for not being checking with him/ her. Usually, people will feel more comfortable when you say like that.

Then, offer your sincerity to help, "is there anything that I can do?" This is to show that you are a person who is willing to take up the accountability.

Endure the hardship and win their heart.