Have you ever owned up to a mistake? Did you find that to be a pleasurable experience? Probably not. Adi Ignatius writes about how Starbucks CEO, Howard Schultz, took responsibility for the corporate mismanagement of the coffee chain during the years 2001-2008. He actually assumed responsibility for company decisions made prior to his return to corporate leadership. Such humility and honesty made his confession even more powerful. Ignatius quotes Schultz:
When I returned in January 2008, things were actually worse than I'd thought. The decisions we made were very difficult, but first there had to be a time when we stood up in front of the entire company as leaders and made almost a confession—that the leadership had failed the 180,000 Starbucks people and their families. And even though I wasn't the CEO…I should have known better. I am responsible. We had to admit to ourselves and to the people of this company that we owned the mistakes that were made. Once we did, it was a powerful turning point. It's like when you have a secret and get it out: The burden is off your shoulders.
Scripture still offers the best response to our failures and mistakes: take ownership. God receives our confession, removes our sin, and releases His grace into our lives. Make confession and move on. The enemy will try to get you to stop and stay as he maximizes your failure and minimizes God’s grace. Don’t do it. “The burden is off your shoulders.” Take ownership and take off!
