In 1995, the post-apartheid South Africa created a platform to unravel the decades of human violations and provide healing for all the people of South Africa. As part of the new constitution, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) was formed, a body intended to hear the atrocities of human rights. The design of the TRC was put in place to provide finality and restoration for those who had been persecuted and hurt. Unlike the Nürnberg trials, the TRC was never intended to exact revenge nor punish.
Daily the best of intended plans will go awry, let alone those that are not well thought out. It happens to the best of us. Yet too often when it occurs, we look to attribute blame and when we are at the center of any shortcoming, we deflect and avoid responsibility. And to what end? A tense environment with closed communication, further mistrust, discontent, and a lack of accountability.
Consider the principles of TRC at work, or even at home: open discussion and sharing to understand the problem without the intent of assigning blame. Grasp an opportunity to learn, grow, improve, and unify as a team. Avoid the blame-game, and rather repair and foster a happier dynamic.
