Excuse Me?
How to Manage People Who Make Excuses
Do your employees always have an excuse?
"The printer broke."
"Traffic was bad."
"I did not get the email."
It is tiring to hear these stories. As a manager, you want results, not stories.
Most people do not even know they are making excuses. They really believe that things are out of their control. But you can help them change.
Here is how to stop the excuses and build a great team.
1. Stay Calm and Listen
When someone gives an excuse, do not get angry.
Lower your voice.
Speak slowly.
Ask open questions.
Ask them what went wrong. Listen to find the real problem. Sometimes they just need better training or more time.
2. Make Goals Clear
Ambiguity is the best friend of an excuse. If your team does not know exactly what you want, they will fail.
Set numbers. Give them a clear goal, like "finish 5 pages."
Set times. Tell them the exact hour the work is due.
Write it down. Send an email after you talk so everyone agrees.
3. Focus on What They Can Control
People make excuses when they feel helpless. Flip the script on them.
Ask: "What part of this job can you control?"
Ask: "How can we stop this problem next time?"
This forces the employee to think about solutions, not blame. It teaches them to take ownership.
4. Notice the Pattern
One excuse is a mistake. Five excuses is a pattern. If an employee is always late, call it out.
Say this: "I notice you missed the deadline three times this month." Do not let them dodge the truth. Show them the facts and ask them to fix it.
5. Lead by Example
Your team watches everything you do. If you make excuses, they will too.
Own your actions.
Apologize when you mess up.
Fix your own errors.
When they see you take responsibility, they will learn to do the same.
