I remember the day I decided that I decided to leave my well paid secure job with a Fortune 50 company and head out on my own. It was March 20, 1988. Quite a few of my friends asked if I understood the risk I was taking. I did, and was sure that it was risk worth taking. Things worked out quite well. I was glad I took the risk.
This article discusses five career risks that you might regret not taking….
The second risk — apologize for a huge mistake you made — really hit home with me. When I was beginning to build my consulting practice, I made a huge mistake. I repeated some gossip about someone in one of my client organizations. As these things usually go, the person who was the target of the gossip heard what I said.
It was an embarrassing situation for me — and while it had no negative impact on him, it was not the right thing to do.
I said, “I want to apologize for repeating that piece of gossip about you. As I’ve thought about it, I doubt if it’s true — and even if it is — it wasn’t my place to repeat it. I’m truly sorry for what I did and I promise you I will never do it again.”
There was a brief awkward silence. Then he said, “You don’t have to apologize.”
I said, “Yes I do. What I did was wrong. I’m deeply sorry that I did it.”
That guy is now one of my best friends and he has given me at least half a million dollars of business over the years. Our friendship began the day I apologized. I could have swept my indiscretion under the rug. It was difficult to look him in the eye and admit my misstep, but I’m glad I did — and not just because of the business he’s thrown my way.
Apologizing for a serious mistake or misstep can be hard to do. But, as the article points out, it is a risk well worth taking.
Your career mentor,
Bud
PS: You can download a free copy of my popular book Your Success GPS at www.BudBilanich.com/career-success-gps/ When you do, I’ll give you a free membership in my career mentoring site and begin sending you daily motivational quotes.
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