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Fridays With Joe - Week 5

Humility leads to strength and not to weakness.  It is the highest form of self-respect to admit mistakes and make amends for them. - John J. McCloy 

One of the top songs of 2007 was Apologize by a group called One Republic.  As catchy as the song was (especially the Timbaland remix) I have to admit I disagree wth the main hook that says “Its too late to apologize…”  You see, this week we posted a profile of Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd.  In February of this year, he proved that its never too late to say you’re sorry when he apologized to the Aboriginal people of his country who had been grossly mistreated by various government policies up into the 1970’s.  Despite the fact that several decades have passed since the laws were abolished and several other prime ministers have held office and not addressed the issue; Rudd, and other members of his party, felt that a formal apology was essential to the health of the nation.

In a display of courageous humility Rudd stood before hundreds of Aboriginals gathered in the Parliament building and thousands more watching across the country and took full responsibility for wrong-doing in the past and graciously asked for a chance to make things right (see video here)  The response was a thunderous standing ovation from the crowd.  Tears of joy were shed, and people held up signs saying “Thanks” and “We Forgive”.  With the Aboriginal people now feeling like a valuable part of the country, Rudd has the support he needs to affect great change in Australia; all because he was humle enough to say sorry. 

We too can take steps for a better future when we are willing to examine our own faults and be courageous enough to admit them.  However, we must be careful to make our apologies genuine, for if they are perceived as insincere, they can do more harm than good.  When apologizing, always remember to: 1) Acknowledge the mistake, 2) Accept responsibility, 3) Commit to never do it again, and 4) Provide a plan for change.

I encourage you to use these steps if there is someone you need to apologize to.  No matter how long its been, remember…it’s never too late to apologize.           

-JH                                                            

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