(Excuses Vs Explanations Field Notes Issue 15) The Line Ep.166

The Line · Oct 30, 2026 · 18m

There’s a big difference between making excuses and giving explanations, and as leaders, understanding that difference matters.In this episode of Blackline Field Notes, we’re talking about the importance of taking responsibility when we’ve missed something, while also recognizing the importance of listening when someone else is explaining what happened.An explanation helps us understand the circumstances. An excuse attempts to remove responsibility. But if we’re not careful, we can become so frustrated with an outcome that we dismiss legitimate explanations as excuses.And when people stop…