Why People Make So Many Crazy Excuses and What This Means for You

Fair Warning: this episode regarding excuses was prompted by recent experiences with tradespeople during Colin’s kitchen renovation.

No one likes excuses, least of all your customers. Lately, Colin has been hearing many amazing excuses about why something can or cannot be done in his kitchen project. It got him thinking about excuses and why people make them. Today’s episode explores the ideas of excuses and what they tell us about human behavior.

Consider examples like long call center wait times blamed on “high call volume” or companies deflecting responsibility for faulty products or order issues by passing the buck to manufacturers. These situations highlight the commonality of excuses in everyday interactions.

It is important to understand the difference between an excuse, which is used to avoid blame, and a reason, which acknowledges the cause of a problem and usually is followed by steps to make it right. Additionally, we explore the psychological motivations behind excuse-making, including our innate desire to see ourselves as right, and how this plays into consumer behavior and decision-making. 

One important concept that supports our behavior around blame is Confirmation Bias. When avoiding blame, we tend to favor information that supports our existing beliefs (i.e., that it is not our fault), even in trivial matters.

Additionally, we delve into the concept of Fundamental Attribution Error, where we are more likely to attribute others’ mistakes to their character while excusing our own based on external circumstances. This human tendency to avoid blame and protect our ego is universal. However, the consequences bear a sharp contrast to the benefits of taking responsibility, especially in leadership roles.

A case study from the UK’s Post Office scandal illustrates the severe consequences of excuses on a larger scale, where avoiding responsibility led to widespread harm and even imprisonment. From this, we draw lessons on the importance of honesty and accountability in both personal and professional contexts.

In this episode, we explore the fine line between a reason and an excuse and examine how they function in various Customer Experiences. 

In this episode we also discuss:

• The psychological need for self-preservation and its impact on excuse-making.

• How Confirmation Bias affects our decisions and perceptions in everyday life.

• The difference between taking responsibility and deflecting blame in customer service.

• Real-world examples of excuses versus reasons in customer experience.

• The potential long-term damage of excuses to trust and relationships.

• Strategies for handling mistakes and building stronger customer relationships by owning up to errors.