I actually ran across a website yesterday called “The Mother of All Excuses” (No, I wasn’t looking for one). It exists so people can share excuses they’ve used and so others can read them and take advantage of them. There are literally thousands of excuses for being late to work, missing work, cutting class, cheating on diets, being pulled over and on and on and on.
I think “admitting mistakes and taking responsibility” is a major value missing far too often in today’s leadership culture. Sometimes I get weary with my own excuses for why something happened.
The truth is sometimes I…
Made the wrong hire.
Had bad timing.
Thought I heard from God and clearly didn’t.
Talked when I should have been listening.
Jumped the gun when I should have been patient.
Wimped out when I should have moved forward.
I made a mistake. I screwed up. Maybe it was sin, lack of experience, wrong motives, or plain stupidity. But it was a mistake. I own it.
Do yourself and the people around you a favor today and stop with all the excuses. Owning it and not excusing it is the key to building credibility with your spouse, kids, friends and people you lead.
Any mistakes you need to own today?
How about a favorite excuse?
