Righting a mistake

Ro Crosbie is president of Tero International, a premier interpersonal skills and corporate training company.

“I have no anger towards Judge Aspen at all. ... He wrote a beautiful letter for me to the president of the United States. It means a whole lot to me, that letting me know that he was giving me the opportunity that he couldn’t have gave me the first time, this time. I would actually thank him for giving me a second chance at life.”

Alton Mills made these remarks when asked to comment about the U.S. federal judge who had sentenced him to a mandatory life sentence in prison for federal cocaine violations. After serving 22 years, President Barack Obama commuted his life sentence. 

Congress enacted sentencing laws that dramatically increased penalties for drug crimes in response to rising public concern about high crime rates in the 1980s and 1990s. The laws, intended to improve public safety, did not deliver those results as the availability and use of illegal drugs increased and recidivism rates remained largely unchanged. 

What did happen was the mandatory minimum sentences for drug possession resulted in thousands of low-level drug offenders serving more time in federal prisons for minor drug offenses than they would have for violent crimes like bank robbery, rape or even murder. Alton Mills was one example. The more serious drug traffickers, who were the focus of the laws, were largely unaffected. 

Applications to leadership

How does this story inform leadership in organizations? There are two insights:

1. Leaders make mistakes. Leadership decisions, even those that are well-intentioned, sometimes have unintended negative consequences. As leaders, when we discover a mistake, even one we didn’t personally make, we are faced with an important choice. What do I do next? How do I correct the mistake? Federal Judge Marvin Aspen wrote to Obama, asking him to grant clemency to an inmate whose sentence did not match the crime. 

2. People make mistakes. The low-level drug offenders who received the harsh sentences had knowingly committed a crime. They are also faced with an important choice. What do I do next? How do I correct the mistake? Alton Mills is committed to making the most of his second chance and proving to the president, who granted him clemency, that he was worthy of it. 

We all make mistakes. Our true character is revealed in what we do about a mistake. Take a moment to reflect on the mistakes you have made or discovered. What can you do to right the mistake -- even many years later?

This blog opened with Alton Mills’ responding to the question, “What would you say to the judge who sentenced you?” We’ll close with the response Judge Aspen provided when asked, “What would you say to Alton Mills?”

“I would say to him that I hope he can leave prison and have a positive attitude. I know that is difficult after all he’s been through. So many people have been concerned about him. I hope he can be a positive example to show that not only was a terrible mistake and injustice done to him, but that he can prove by the rest of his life that he was a worthwhile person and justify the confidence that all the people had in him, including myself.”

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Website: www.tero.com

Comments

[Sharon Vickery]

Ro - well said and a good reminder to us all. I'm starting my list now.