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Even Tiger Woods is only human
By Lauren | February 22, 2010
It’s been an interesting few days, as I’ve found myself discussing Tiger Woods’ apology with interviewers from across the U.S., Canada and Europe. More than a few people have criticized the apology as being too “scripted” or dissed Woods’ delivery as too “wooden.” A handful of angry critics have refused to accept the apology at all, arguing that Woods should never be forgiven, period.
Don’t get me wrong - I don’t like what Woods did any better than anyone else does. But I think that the people who criticized his delivery are missing the point. Yes, he had a script in front of him, and he clung to it with all his might. But just because an apology is scripted doesn’t necessarily make it insincere. This was probably the single most important and difficult statement of Tiger Woods’ life. The fact that he thought it was especially important to get it just right - and therefore used a script - may be proof of his sincere desire to apologize appropriately.
And as for those who can never forgive him, well, that’s their choice. But remember, there are governments out there that have gleefully committed genocide, companies that have deliberately hidden life-threatening safety problems with their products in order to wring the last possible dollar out of their unsuspecting customers, at least one former investment guru who swindled millions from little old ladies and charitable foundations, politicians who have sold their votes and the well-being of their constituents to the highest bidder … and the list goes on. What Tiger Woods did was shameful, but he’s hardly alone. Judge him if you like, but at least judge him fairly.
Topics: Apologies, Business Ethics, Legal Ethics, Personal Ethics, Social Ethics, ethics |
February 22nd, 2010 at 9:30 pm
[...] tiger woods – Google News wrote an interesting post today. Here’s a quick excerptIt’s been an interesting few days, as I’ve found myself discussing Tiger Woods’ apology with interviewers from across the US, Canada and Europe. More than a. [...]
February 23rd, 2010 at 6:13 am
Lauren,
Spot on. There is absolutely no rule whatsoever to say that scripted apologies are insincere - some are, some aren’t.
What’s worse than a scripted apology is one which is too blasé, especially for a wrongdoing of this nature. The fact that Woods took the time to prepare a scripted apology is an indication that he meant business.
And on the subject of judging him - well, as far as I see it, there is only one who he has let down (apart from himself) and that is his wife. Whether or not she forgives him is a personal decision for her to think about, but I don’t see why anyone else has anything to forgive him for.
He has wronged only one person, and she is the only one that he needs forgiveness from. Judging him is nobody else’s business.