[Flash] No More Asking For Forgiveness!

I have repeated this expression countless times in my life to encourage me and others to act in the face of trepidation.

This week, I’ve dragged it out to nudge a few clients to take a chance and implement a change. Because they are committed to improving situations and making a difference.

But like many of us, they battle resistance from bosses, stakeholders, and upper management.

Of course, this leads me to prod, “Don’t ask for permission. Ask for forgiveness!”

Strangely, however, every time this advice came out of my mouth this week, it left a bad taste.

Why? Because I realized that a request for forgiveness succeeds an apology. And I don’t want to encourage my intrepid leaders to apologize for improving situations and making a difference.

This seek-forgiveness concept presupposes that they will have to apologize for being courageous. And it assumes that stakeholders will be so delighted with the outcome, they will overlook the irreverence.

Regardless, we should never have to apologize for our courage.

Yesterday, I was sharing with my client Allie my newfound irritation with “ask for forgiveness,” along with my quest to find a more empowering conclusion to that charge.

Without hesitation and with a bit of audacity, Allie said, “How about… ‘You’re welcome.'”

(And just like that, my spunky, younger-generation-than-me client mentored me!)

Wow! Those two words can carry quite a punch:

• “You’re welcome for the improvements I made to the situation.”
• “You’re welcome for leading regardless of my title.”
• “You’re welcome for valiantly changing what no one else had the guts or grit to change.”
• “You’re welcome for helping you get unstuck.”
• “You’re welcome for making a difference.”

Don’t ask for permission. Say, you’re welcome.

© 2021. Ann Tardy and Mentor Lead. www.mentorlead.com