This morning I went for a run and witnessed and interesting encounter between two dog owners that got me thinking about personal responsibility and accountability. On my run I watched two dog owners—one walking and one jogging approach each other. As the jogger and her dog got close to the walker, the walker’s dog (no on a leash) barked and lunged at the jogger’s dog (on a leash). The women with the aggressive dog, responded with, “oh he’s ok, he’s nice, he just doesn’t like it when other dogs are in front of him.” HELLO!! This is a biking, walking, and jogging path. Of course there will be others with dogs that end up in front of your dog. I got to think about how we at work make excuses for our friends, colleagues, direct reports, and for ourselves.
How often do we shirk responsibility and make excuses for ourselves and others, rather than take responsibility for mistakes. Seems like the appropriate response, might have been: “I’m sorry!!” Sometimes, a simple apology is the best response—not an excuse, “he’s ok, he’s nice” or a down playing of the incident.
What are your suggestions for a good apology?
Inciting Leaders 