What BP’s Hayward Can Learn from Umpire Jim Joyce

BP has managed to make an immeasurable environmental crisis worse. They’ve made it worse through managerial mistakes. Mistakes that could have been avoided just by watching a missed call by umpire Jim Joyce.

Jim Joyce is an experienced Major League Baseball umpire with 22 professional seasons under his belt. On June 2, 2010, Detroit Tigers pitcher Armando Galarraga had a chance to register the 20th perfect game pitched in major league baseball history. Jim Joyce called the first base runner safe when he was clearly out. The next few steps are a clinic in crisis management.

Almost immediately after realizing his mistake, Joyce pivoted on this new information. Joyce said; “I just cost that kid a perfect game.” His body language was even more articulate.

His body language was glowing with regret. His eyes flirted with tears. He felt as bad, if not worse, than Galarraga himself. Those of us watching quickly moved from accuser to sympathizer. There was a point where Joyce, his face flushed with embarrassment, gave Galarraga a firm tap on his back. To everyone watching, this said “Please forgive me.”

At that very moment, the crisis for Joyce was over. Did Joyce make a bad call? Yes. But the brilliance of Joyce was to restrain from conceit and arrogance. He avoided climbing the perch of umpire dictatorship and embraced his error with humility. Very powerful.

I predict that unlike many bad calls in the history of sports played over and over throughout the years, this will be one that fades. Joyce has won over the public with authentic remorse. We feel his pain, and have no desire to make it worse.

The oil in the gulf is still gushing. Its chief executive officer Tony Hayward continues to show indifference, and even contempt for critique. If Hayward displayed the sentiment of Joyce, not only would the public be on BP’s side, but we would argue down anyone trying to negatively paint the company as greedy. Crisis management is everything.

The right moves can put the public on your side, even when the crisis is clearly your fault. Good job Joyce, good job.