Excuses are a big enemy of efficiency, performance and growth. They are the refuge of cowards and the ignorant, the shelter of those who wish to remain in the dark cloud of illusion and are afraid to face existential realities. An excuse is the slick explanation offered when we commit blunders and are afraid to own them.
It is the asylum of the weak and inept, hindering growth like nothing else. Excuses are exercises in self-deceit and a show of untruth. An employee is reprimanded by his employer for shoddy work performance and he tries to throw blame at his peer who gives him vital inputs for his items of work.
A physician treating a patient is unable to make a precise diagnosis with little improvement through treatment. He continues with the treatment out of commercial greed telling the patient that his ailment is complicated and will take a longer time to cure. A politician is elected to power by his voters based on lofty manifesto promises but after elections, does not deliver on his promises and gives a glib explanation stating that the mess created by his predecessor is the reason for the delay in turn around of things.
In democratic states, politicians facing defeat in elections at times blame the EVMs for their defeat. A school teacher who is not good at his job blames inattentive and undisciplined pupils for poor academic results. A habitual latecomer to the office has a long list of patent excuses to choose from.
An executive reaches his business appointment late, b.
