When someone makes an obvious mistake, it’s tempting to label them with a term that’s dismissive or even hurtful. A label is permanent, a noun, a way to sort and divide. But of course, others can say precisely the same thing about us when we were uninformed, selfish or in a hurry. If it’s permanent, then it’s all of us. Perhaps instead of “you are a mistake,” it might be more accurate to say you “you made a mistake.” Starting from the place that we’re all imperfect makes it easy to find empathy, for others and ourselves.
Seth Godin’s Blog – titled “We are all goofballs”
REFLECTION:
- How do you react to mistakes – yours or ones others make?
- Are you quick to label others?
- Can you shift from “you are a mistake” to “you made a mistake?”
- Can you find empathy for yourself and others?