The Hidden Line That Shapes Careers

1️⃣ The Story

Every workplace has someone who “always has a reason.” But pay attention closely—half the time it’s not a reason, it’s an excuse.

• Excuse: “The customer didn’t reply, so I couldn’t finish.”

• Reason: “The customer didn’t reply. I sent reminders and drafted a fallback plan.”

Both describe the same event. But one closes the door. The other opens the path forward.

2️⃣ The Framework

The line between excuse and reason comes down to ownership + next step:

• Excuse: Deflects. Stops at why it failed.

• Reason: Clarifies. Adds what I did + what I’ll do next time.

Test it with one question:

👉 Does this explanation help us prevent the issue in the future?

If yes → reason.

If no → excuse.

3️⃣ The Takeaway

Leaders remember patterns. Over time:

• Excuses brand you as unreliable.

• Reasons brand you as a problem-solver.

Everyone misses deadlines. What matters is how you frame it.

Deliver reasons, not excuses—anchored in responsibility, clarity, and improvement. That’s how you turn setbacks into trust.