In this day and age of internet memes, images, and quotes bouncing around in the millions every single day, most of us see, read, and share a variety of things on a daily basis—whether witty, thought-provoking, ridiculous, or all of the above.
You may have seen a meme similar to this one:
We laugh because we know it’s silly but mostly true! That third bullet point definitely trips up a lot of people not native to England (it sounds like wu•stuh•shuh, by the way). But jokes aside, those other two statements can prove to be just as challenging to many people.
Whether admitting a mistake, acknowledging an error in judgment, taking responsibility for poor conduct, or apologizing for harm done, doing so with sincerity and without prompting is rarely easy. However, it is a crucial aspect of maintaining healthy relationships—in all areas of life!
This quote my friend and colleague Dee McCarthy recently shared on LinkedIn says it well:
“I can respect any person who can put their ego aside and say, ‘I made a mistake, I apologize, and I am correcting the behavior.’”
– Sylvester McNutt III
As McNutt notes, to admit a mistake, apologize, and actively work to correct the behavior or issue, you must first set aside your ego and consider others above yourself. Admitting fault is never easy, but engaging with others in a healthy and positive way must outweigh your own ego or feelings of awkwardness or embarrassment.
Likewise, ego must be set aside when forgiving others and moving past their mistakes. Just as we must be willing to admit fault, we must also be willing to offer forgiveness and reconciliation. After all, our relationships with other people lie at the core of our happiness, fulfillment, and success in life!
