Question

Recall a time when someone required an account from you for your actions. Write out a description of the situation, and then provide a message that would fit each of these account categories: excuse, justification, and refusal to account.

Answer 1

Recall a time when someone required an account from you for your actions.

Write out a description of the situation

I was working as research assistant in a cooperative research institution. The head of agricultural and cooperative training sent me a verbal message through my colleague about putting me on a mentor-ship project without asking my consent. He also had a soft copy in pen drive about the details of this project. I refused to accept it and then that colleague blamed me of disrespecting him and insulting him. The head called and reproach me for all the mess.

I clearly refused to the account, as the colleague was just a messenger and not the party to the issue. I did not insult him. My refusal was taken personally by the colleague that was not directed to him but to the project and head. Thus the reproach was on wrong facts.

Provide a message that would fit each of these account categories:

• Excuse: The person decline that they are responsible for a particular act that harmed others. They were not able to see the harmful consequences or were under external pressure to do it. They deny their link with the consequence.
• Justification: The individual although admits his mistake but gives an explanation to how they cannot be blamed as their action was justified on some grounds or emitted positive impact more than harmful ones.
• Concession: The individual admits and feel sorry for it, is ready to pay damages. But still they want to deflect the criticism.
• Refusal to account: The person simply deny happening of any bad consequences and indicates the blame is based on misjudged facts.