I made a mistake. I am sorry

Why are these words so challenging? First of all, these words are hard to speak. And secondly, we make it hard for an apology to be received.

When a political leader lies, cheats, or is hypocritical, it is easy to be enraged. But in this current atmosphere, if they sincerely apologise for making a mistake, the public remains harsh.

Yet we know mistakes. We all make them. We make them in our haste, blindness, and ignorance. 

From early childhood we are often shamed or ridiculed for making mistakes. It becomes easier to avoid the confession, to hide the mistake. To deflect it or project it on another. 

This is madness. Mistakes are the pathway to learning anything. They should be encouraged. 

A friend of mine applied the following rules to his young staff. 

Rule #1. I encourage mistakes. I want innovation and creativity. If you make a mistake I promise I will not respond with anger, shaming or ridicule. 

Rule #2. If you make the same mistake twice, you will experience my wrath. 

Rule #3. If you make the same mistake three times, our working relationship is over.

Photo taken July 29th 2022