Assumptions are a common cause of mistakes. In any workplace, we often make the best decision that we can at a given moment. But when a lack of knowledge is replaced with assumptions… that decision might turn out to be a bad one.
So it’s important to recognize when we know something to be true and when we’re making an assumption.
Case in point, this story:
ESPN’s Michael Kay Profusely Apologizes For ‘Huge Mistake’ In Scoop On NFL Coach
Kay recently apologized for “reporting” that New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll threw a party the night before they got blown out by the Dallas Cowboys 40-0 in their NFL home opener.
That sounds awful, right?
“I have it on good authority that Brian Daboll had a huge party at his house on Saturday night. This is true,” Kay said. “You’re not throwing a big party if you’re about to get your butt kicked by the Cowboys.”
How irresponsible!!! Partying for a game. You deserve to lose.
Oops.
While Kay might have been imagining a raging kegger, the truth was far more tame.
Daboll threw a daytime birthday party for his six-year-old son.
Kay admitted this was a “huge mistake” and I admire his willingness to admit the obvious mistake. He assumed the worst and it turned out not to be true.
“I need to make a heartfelt apology to Brian Daboll,” said Kay. He continued, “I should have done more work. I’m a complete ass for doing this, and I feel sorry for any pain I might have caused that family by insinuating anything. But I found out later it was a party for his 6-year-old, it was a birthday party.”
“I should have dug deeper,” Kay went on, “and I didn’t think it was going to be a big thing, but it became sort of a big thing last night, and I want to cut it off at the legs and say that is on me, and I was irresponsible because I didn’t check it out further and I apologize to anybody that was impacted by my flippant remark about a party at his house.”
“I just feel like a complete idiot,” he added.
It helps to apologize after making a mistake. Kay took ownership of his assumption and his mistake.
That doesn’t change what happened, but it’s better than denying the mistake or doubling down on it.
