**A Lesson in Accountability: How the Hard Truth Changed My Life** by Susan

**A Lesson in Accountability: How the Hard Truth Changed My Life** by Susan - August 2026 Scholarship Essay

In my 46 years I have had both good feedback and bad feedback. The feedback that had the most impact on my life did not happen in my twenties when I was young and impressionable. No, it happened when I was forty-five years old. It was hands down one of the most embarrassing and humbling experiences of my life.

I am a mom of six and grandma to two, I am the picture you would see when you open the dictionary to busy. In turn, more often than not, I was late to work. Always putting everyone and everything ahead of my own responsibilities. I did not realize I was taking advantage of others' kindness and did not think it was that big of a deal. Boy, was I wrong.

My boss Nicole told me that she needed a meeting with me to give me some constructive feedback. I went to the meeting expecting to talk about things I was doing well at work. Not thinking for a moment that my being late was that serious. When I went to the meeting that day, I was met with my suspension without pay paperwork for her to go over with me. She told me that day that no one could take me seriously if I was always late. That being late was disrespectful and affected everyone I work with. I had never thought that being late would hurt anyone but myself. In reality, it caused others to have to pick up my slack while also doing their job. This was not fair and very disrespectful, and those are two things I never intended to be to anyone.

f I ever wanted to be taken seriously in the corporate world, I had to change what I was doing. I had to show my co-workers and boss that their time was important to me. I also needed them to know that I had integrity and could be depended upon. Since that suspension I have not been late once, and its been about a year! I now show up at least 15 minutes early, so I have time to prepare for my day.

This experience taught me to take feedback seriously, accept responsibility for my actions, and see my mistakes as opportunities for personal growth. Sometimes the feedback we think is nothing serious is feedback we really need to hear to be able to be the best version of ourselves.