One of the defining characteristics of becoming an adult, at least for me, is accountability. There comes a time when everyone has to take responsibility for their actions and behaviors. The person who always has an excuse is the ultimate buzzkill and can put a strain on personal or professional relationships. And it's poor manners.
Socially, no one wants to be around someone who is constantly offering excuses. But excuses can also hurt one's professional reputation. People lose faith in Mr./Miss Excuses; they don't trust that they will get the job done and as a result, they don't get assigned to projects that count.
Yet people still give excuses. In fact there are websites dedicated to giving excuses. Some do it out of embarrassment; others do it out of conceit; some give excuses to avoid hurting other people's feelings; and others do it without even realizing it's a habit. The bottom line though, is that people give excuses because they don't want to admit to something. Here are some things to consider before giving an excuse:
- Why am I giving an excuse (ego, embarrassment, protecting someone's feelings, I don't know)?
- What will happen if I admit/own up to the issue?
- Is there anything I can do to resolve this situation without giving an excuse?
Think about the situation before you give an excuse.
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