September 8
Tell Us What Happened
We were trusted to handle a matter and made the decision as best we could. Now comes the report. It is tempting to give only the pleasant outline, especially if one part turned out awkwardly. Nobody has asked about it yet. We tell ourselves that being trusted means we should not have to explain every detail.
Concept Three pairs discretion with proper reporting and consultation. That combination protects freedom from becoming secrecy. Other people need enough information to understand significant actions taken on their behalf, including the parts we would rather smooth over. A candid report need not be a confession of incompetence or an invitation to manage every small choice. It is how experience becomes available to the whole group. Trust grows more substantial when the account of our work does not depend on whether the news makes us look good.
What important part of the story am I tempted to leave out of my report?
The awkward part belongs in the account, too.
For the A.A. nerds: Twelve Concepts for World Service, Concept III, p. C-11.