How do you apologise at work after you mess up?
Effective apologies are a critical component of building and maintaining strong relationships, both personal and professional. But, at work, it can be doubly tricky. The truth is, we all mess up sometimes. So how do we apologise effectively at work when we do?
The first step is to take responsibility and express genuine remorse. Instead of conditional statements such as "I'm sorry if you were offended", use language that acknowledges the harm caused, such as "I'm sorry for what I said/did and the pain it caused you." Additionally, try to make amends by taking action to address the harm caused – such as making reparations, committing to change your behaviour, or educating yourself.
Lastly, be timely, clear, and sincere in your apology. If you feel bad, take steps to rebuild trust, such as following through on commitments and being transparent about future actions.
Effective apologies require both self-awareness and empathy, as well as a willingness to take action to repair relationships. And being patient and kind (to yourself and others) can go a long way.