Last night, Armando Galarraga of the Detroit Tigers was one out away from pitching a perfect game in the Major Leagues. There has only been 20 perfect games pitched in the Majors. A perfect game is when a pitcher gets 27 straight outs and no one from the opposing team gets on base; a huge, history making achievement for a pitcher.
But it did not happen for Galarraga. A routine ground ball and a sure out was denied. The umpire, Jim Joyce called the base runner safe. You make the call…..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXxZkL_O1Ac&feature=email
Yes, the batter was clearly out and Galarraga should have posted the 21st perfect game in the Majors. You can only imagine how Galarraga, all of Tiger nation and the umpire who made the mistake must have felt. He blew it, fair and square.
We all make mistakes, errors and poor decisions. But what separates the chump from the leader is how they handle and address them. I often do not hear people admit their mistakes, or they blame others or let it slide, hoping no one notices. Jim Joyce did not do any of these. He took responsibility for his actions. He admitted he blew the call, he felt terrible and you could even hear it in his voice while he was interviewed after the game. Joyce even went into the Detroit locker room and personally apologized to Galarraga and the entire Detroit baseball team. Wow! That’s leadership. Admitting your mistake, apologizing in public with emotion and being transparent.
Why can’t we see BP’s leadership admit their mistakes for the worst environmental hazard on record! Leaders need to stop pointing the finger at others and take responsibility for their actions by admitting their mistake, showing compassion and then act with conviction. One of my mentors, Jerry Leachman has a saying that I love and it is so appropriate for my posting today. He says, ” Winners take responsibility, losers blame others.”
What mistakes do you need to own up to? Be a winner. Jim Joyce is.