Pope Benedict Admits Mistake
As noted in a previous post about it never being a good idea to reinstate someone you’ve fired, I used the uproar caused by the Pope’s recent decision to revoke the excommunication of a Holocaust-denying bishop as an example. Most reinstatements don’t cause the remonstration that occurred as a result of Benedict’s action, but there’s always trouble.
In an unusual move, Benedict recently sent a letter to all bishops admitting mistakes in the way this matter had been handled. The Pope was obviously surprised by the significant criticism from Jewish leaders and several world leaders as well. He seems to have been especially taken aback by outrage expressed by some Catholics.
It seems particularly difficult for people at the top to admit mistakes. Think about all the commotion over how some of the top executives in the country and world have almost destroyed the economy. Now think about how many of them have said I made a mistake or I’m sorry.
If one of the principal indicators of leadership is the ability and willingness to admit mistakes (and I think it is), then there’s a dearth of leadership all around. I think executives would be greatly surprised at how their employees would rally around them if they were big enough to admit it when they’re wrong. Benedict made a mistake, at least in the eyes of many people. By admitting it, my guess is that he gains respect from those who had been his detractors, as well as those who want a strong leader to follow.
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Chris Parker's practice focuses on the representation and counseling of companies in matters pertaining to the workplace and the protection of their intellectual property and trade secrets. In addition to serving as an advocate for clients, Mr. Parker is also trained as a mediator and frequently serves as a third-party neutral.
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While serving in an Of Counsel relationship with the firm, Mr. Bridgesmith also serves as the Executive Director at the Institute for Conflict Resolution at Lipscomb University and as an officer and principal in Strategic Resolutions Group, LLC. In these roles, Mr. Bridgesmith brings over 30 years of legal experience in dispute resolution and innovative workplace strategies to clients, students and business entities alike.
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Except that much of the business world’s leaders are incessant of creating a delusional air of superiority and then ensconcing themselves in a secluded and exclusionary environment of decadence which manifests an extremely inequitable realm of misfeasance.
This then creates a secure, and largely intangible, and untouchable (or just inaccessible) area from which to manipulate the lives of those who are subordinate, to the point of criminal liability. Thus, there is really no room for mistakes in the eyes of those beleaguered employees and investors who are entangled within the delirious and nefarious theatre of business much of the nation’s “bosses” are employing these days.