It's good to own up to your past mistakes.
Bill is at work talking with his boss who is giving him a performance review.
Bill wants to look good in front of his boss.
Bill's boss asks about a mistake Bill made during the last year and Bill uses the opportunity to explain what he learned from making that mistake to his boss.
Bill's boss asks Bill about a mistake he made and as to look better, Bill blamed others for the event.
Bill's boss is impressed that Bill owned up to the mistake turning it into a positive learning experience and gives Bill a good review.
Bill's boss is disappointed that Bill is not honest with him and is forced to give Bill a bad performance review.