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The Boston Globe examines public apologies
By Lauren | February 16, 2009
Many thanks to Peter Schworm of the Boston Globe for inviting me to comment on the recent spate of public apologies. As I told Mr. Schworm when we spoke, America finally seems to be rejecting the “never say you’re sorry” mindset that has bogged us down for so long. Thankfully, we seem to be moving toward a healthy respect for people who are honest and mature enough to admit to their errors and apologize for them. No one has done that more effectively of late than President Obama, whose response to the withdrawal of some of his proposed Cabinet appointees was a simple and effective, “I blew it.”
Just how refreshing was that?
Schworm’s article focuses not only on President Obama’s apology, but also on recent public apologies by Brandeis University president Jehuda Reinharz, baseball superstar Alex Rodriguez, Olympic titan Michael Phelps, teen queen Miley Cyrus, and actor Christian Bale. That’s quite a cadre of luminaries. As Schworm suggests, the willingness of public figures to own up to their mistakes “could signal a new willingness at high levels to admit missteps.” Let’s hope he’s right, and that the recent spate of public apologies leads us toward a more forgiving future.
To read the article, go to: http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009/02/16/a_sorry_state_of_affairs/” target=”_blank”>A sorry state of affairs
Topics: Apologies, Business Ethics, Personal Ethics, Social Ethics, ethics |
February 17th, 2009 at 6:31 pm
hi, came here via andrew’s “good honest dollar”.
it is absolutely wonderful that apologies become more commonplace, not only because of the warm fuzzies that it gives all of us (and let’s be honest, warm fuzzies are important) but because it speeds up recovery. we don’t really want to be losing time, especially in the situation we’re in right now, with people endlessly passing the buck.
i’d be interested in what you think about barry schwartz’s TED talk on wisdom. have you seen it?
February 17th, 2009 at 11:25 pm
Lauren,
I think Isabella makes a good point, and that it’s better to give frank and sincere apologies straight up where possible. Buck-passing is evidence of poor leadership.
That said, as you say in your book, apologies must be carefully planned, and those in need of forgiveness should exercise a degree of diligence in their haste during the process of the preparation and deliverance of the apology.
I hope the examples you mention set a powerful precedent for all
February 17th, 2009 at 11:26 pm
Sorry, I hit ’submit’ prior to completion of the last sentence.
The last sentence above should read as follows:
“I hope the examples which you mention set a powerful precedent for all of America to follow.”
February 22nd, 2009 at 12:01 pm
An excellent point about how Obama’s admission signals a moral renewal for America. Let’s hope it continues.
BTW, just a correction: it’s Christian Bale, not Christian Bales.