I'm Sorry But...

"Never ruin an apology with an excuse."

- Benjamin Franklin

(1706-1790) Inventor / Statesman

If there is one thing that success-minded people must do, it is to take responsibility for their mistakes.  Taking responsibility is not being able to come up with a good excuse or reason for the mistake it is to be able to say, "I'm sorry" and leave it at that.  When we mess up, does it really matter why?  I have always found an excuse, ever a really good one, just lessens an apology, it does not help it.

                This principle is true in our personal lives.  When we have done something, even when that something was not intentional, it is best to apologize and leave it at that.  When we give a line of excuses we are really saying, "I am not really sorry" or "I am only sorry it did not work the way I wanted it to".  Both excuses are unacceptable and can cause further pain and hurt.

                In business, giving excuses is a sign of weakness and is often looked down on by employers.  Let's face it, we will all make mistakes from time to time.  Employers know this and they even know that there are reasons, good reasons, for a mistake.  However, when the person does not take full responsibility for their actions they are saying that they really cannot be trusted to do a good job.

                Success-minded people take full responsibility for their mistakes.  They apologize and than they do it right.  The only person who really needs to know why something went wrong is you.  That way you can correct it, learn from it and be sure it does not happen again.

                The leader who takes responsibility for his/her team and does not blame or push the responsibility for a mistake onto a team member is a great leader.  Great leaders are always ready to take full responsibility for the teams mistakes and give the team full credit when things go right. 

                When you take full responsibility for mistakes and mishaps, you tell others by your behavior that you are a responsible and trustworthy person.  People know that even though this mistake happened, you are a person they can trust to get things done and to be honest and have integrity.  This bring respect, and respect is to be greatly valued.

                Even the best excuses in the world are not as powerful as responsibility.  Excuses are a sign of weakness and many times a case of blame shifting.  Leaders today, even at the highest levels, are too quick to give excuses for anything they think has gone wrong.  Somehow they feel that people will see this as not their fault.  What it does is show people that they cannot be trusted and they are weak as leaders.  It brings deep meaning to another saying of Franklin's, "He who is good at making excuses is good at very little else."

To read more from John Patrick Hickey or to get his books, training and book him to speak to your church, business or group, visit our website at http://www.growthcenter.net or www.johnpatrickhickey.com.   © 2014 John Patrick Hickey