Every human being wants a feeling of importance; so when we begin to condemn ourselves, the only way others could nourish their self-esteem is to take the magnanimous attitude of showing mercy. Say about yourself all the derogatory things you know the other person is thinking or wants to say – and say them before that person has a chance to say them. The chances are a hundred to one that a generous, forgiving attitude will be taken and your mistakes will be minimized.
There is a certain degree of satisfaction in having the courage to admit one’s errors. It not only clears the air of guilt and defensiveness, but often helps solve the problem created by the error. Any fool can try to defend his or her mistakes but it raises one above the herd and gives one a feeling of nobility and exultation to admit one’s mistakes. For Example, one of the most beautiful things that history records about Robert E. Lee is the way he blamed himself for the failure of Pickett’s charge at Gettysburg.
Remember the old proverb: “By fighting you never get enough, but by yielding you get more than you expected.”
PRINCIPLE 12: If you are wrong, admit it quickly and emphatically.
Comments