Expressing Regret
In saying “I made a mistake” we are admitting that we were wrong. For many individuals, hearing the words “I was wrong” is what communicates to them that the person is sincere in offering her apology. Without theses or similar words that accept responsibility for one’s wrong behavior, they will not sense that the other person has sincerely apologized. It doesn’t matter if you are a well-known politician or a roommate in a college dormitory or husband and wife: understanding this reality can make all the difference in the world when you sincerely wish to apologize for your behavior.
James Bonham, Died at the Battle of the Alamo
Accepting Responsibility
We’ve all heard of the Alamo. 183 brave defenders stood their ground while surrounded by thousands of attacking Mexican troops. At the end, the defenders of the Alamo, who had refused terms of surrenders, were dead to the last man. What is less known is that one man escaped from the Alamo, James Bonham. He slipped out of the Alamo under cover of darkness, slipped through the enemy lines and raced 95 miles to the Army of Texas to plea for reinforcements.
When told that no reinforcements were available, he chose to race 95 miles back, slipped through the lines again, and died alongside his 182 brothers in arms. That’s responsibility.
A leader can give up anything – except responsibility – let’s commit to modelling it for those who follow behind us.