Thursday, March 20, 2014

Admitting Mistakes



Today, a boss made a serious mistake by accidentally tearing up our signed approval document during his "spring cleaning operation".
But what was remarkable was the way he approached the situation after the incident.

Any other typical boss, could have easily covered up this mistake behind the scenes.. One could "make up" some comments, instruct us to "make the amendments, resubmit, re-obtain approval", then bring it to him.

Not this guy.
This man, he looked me in the face, and said "Ok macam ni lah.. actually, I tore it up by mistake. I didn't realise this during my spring cleaning - I thought it was expired stuff. I'm so sorry la brother - need you to do a favor to get it signed again".

As if that wasn't enough, he called my boss on loudspeaker in front of me, openly admitted and apologised. "I admit it's my fault".

Amazing response!
Sometimes our pride and ego tells us that admitting our mistakes would make others lose respect of us, or that we will "lose credibility" , but in reality, it is much more respectable to have the guts and transparency to admit our faults, move on and improve.

To justify our errors, that's nothing - even Satan does that. But to swallow our ego, openly admit our faults, and take the firm resolve to improve - now that requires true strength of character.
The first step to fixing our faults is to first acknowledge that we have them in the first place - and this is the true essence of repentance (tawbah).

The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said:
كُلُّ بَنِي آدَمَ خَطَّاءٌ وَخَيْرُ الْخَطَّائِينَ التَّوَّابُونَ
“Every son of Adam commits sins,
and the best of those who commit sins, are those who are repentant.’”

(Narrated by at-Tirmidhi and ibn Majah, authentic)

May Allah make us amongst those who have the strength to swallow our pride, admit our mistakes, and have the firm resolve to rectify and make amends, especially in our duties to Him.

إِنَّ اللَّـهَ يُحِبُّ التَّوَّابِينَ وَيُحِبُّ الْمُتَطَهِّرِينَ ﴿٢٢٢﴾
Indeed, Allah loves those who are constantly repentant and loves those who purify themselves." (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:222)

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