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Recognizing when you’ve made a mistake and displaying genuine regret is a valuable skill for building relationships and resolving conflicts professionally. Knowing how to apologize sincerely not only improves your standing in the eyes of others but also helps with your self-improvement.
- Overview
- Why is it important to apologize?
- What could happen if you don't apologize?
- How to apologize for a mistake at work
- Examples of professional apologies
- Tips for apologizing at work
Misunderstandings and mistakes are common occurrences in every workplace. To maintain a strong working relationship, it may be necessary to apologize on occasion for a mistake or action. Learning how to offer an apology professionally can help show your acknowledgment of an issue and your attempts to correct the situation.In this article, we explai...
Show you acknowledge your actions
In addition to showing you acknowledge your part in a situation, you also acknowledge how your actions could have affected those with whom you work. For example, if you apologize for your tardiness, you're acknowledging that you were late to work, but you're also showing your colleagues you understand how your coming to work late can directly affect the projects you're working on together.
Help rebuild trust
Certain actions can break trust among colleagues, but your apology can help improve the situation and help your peers trust you again. When colleagues trust each other, they are usually more productive, creative, team-orientated and collaborative, which helps improve the entire workplace.Read more: Why Trust Matters in the Workplace (Plus Tips for Building It)
Decrease workplace stress
If knowing that you've upset someone else has caused you stress, then apologizing may ease any negative feelings. Apologizing may help you feel more confident that you can continue your workplace relationship as it was before the incident, especially if your colleague or manager accepted your sincere apology. It can ease conflict and ensure a productive work environment.Related: 8 Ways To Build Strong Relationships in the Workplace
Damage relationships
If there is wrongdoing in the office that goes without apology, you might damage an existing working relationship or prevent one from forming. Apologizing can make a relationship even stronger, allowing you to work cohesively with your colleagues and managers.Read more: How To Build Good Working Relationships at Work
Limit career opportunities
Neglecting to apologize for your mistakes can affect your career opportunities, as management may find it difficult to recommend you for promotions or even lateral moves to another department. The ability to take ownership of your mistakes is critical if you hope to advance to leadership roles. Apologizing shows that you recognize your mistakes and want to make a sincere effort to correct them and prevent them from happening again, which shows your management team that you can take responsibility and work well with others.
Give incorrect impressions
It's possible that those you work with might have an incorrect impression of you if you don't apologize for actions that have affected someone else. If you express remorse for something you've done, an apology can actually increase a colleague's impression of you and make them happier and more excited to work alongside you.Related: How To React to Mistakes at Work
1. Apologize soon after the incident
An apology that comes soon after an incident can let the other party know you regret your actions, and can hopefully help you continue your working relationship without further incident. Sometimes it may be best to wait a little longer to issue an apology, like in the case of a larger escalation. Assess the situation and see if all involved parties would be best off having the space and opportunity to process the situation before deciding when to apologize. Apologizing too quickly if your or the other person's emotions are still high may risk them not accepting the apology.
2. Decide how you'll apologize
What you're apologizing for can determine if it's most appropriate to apologize in person or if an email or phone call may suffice. In most situations, an in-person apology is the best method because it generally requires more effort, so people perceive these apologies as more genuine. These apologies also allow for more effective communication and reduce the risk of misinterpretations, helping you best explain and apologize. An email or phone call may be acceptable if meeting in person isn't possible.Related: How To Apologize in an Email to a Customer (With Example)
3. Address your recipient by name
It's respectful to address the person you're apologizing to by name, whether they are a peer, manager, client or customer. This adds sincerity to what you're saying and shows them you're considering how your actions affected them directly and personally.
In-person apology
You may choose an in-person apology if your actions were larger and caused more of a harmful effect in the workplace. Consider this apology the next time you want to apologize to someone in-person:Hi, Janet. I wanted to stop by to apologize for my behavior yesterday. I mistakenly allowed my personal frustrations from outside of work to affect how I approached others. It was unacceptable behavior, and I'm sincerely sorry. I appreciate and respect you as a colleague, and want to continue to have a good working relationship, but I know my actions set the tone for the meeting and hurt your feelings.I'm making it a personal goal to improve my work-life balance and my outlook in the workplace, ensuring this doesn't happen again. I hope you accept my apology and that you can continue to trust me as your coworker. Is there anything additional I can do to make it up to you?
Example of a work apology email
It's acceptable to send an apology email to someone for smaller transgressions or when you're unable to meet in person. Consider this example of an email apology:Subject: My ApologyDear Brandon,I'm sending this email because I want to apologize to you for missing my deadline on our joint project. I understand how this is frustrating, and I take full responsibility for the project being turned in late. I have also let Mr. Jones know that it's my fault we went past our due date, as I know you couldn't complete your work until I did mine.Please know that I'm committed to preventing this from happening again. I promise I'll take my responsibilities seriously and will aim to complete my part of our future projects before the due date. Additionally, if I'm struggling with any expectations, including the due date, I'll address it with you and Mr. Jones as soon as possible so we can make the necessary adjustments before it becomes an issue.I value you as a teammate and hope we can move past this incident. I'm open to any feedback you may have for me.Sincerely,Melanie MaloneRead more: How To Write an Apology Email and Appropriate Subject Line Do you need help with your resume?
Here are some tips you can use when you are apologizing to someone at work:
•Pay special attention to your body language. Even though your words are sincere, your body language can send a different message, and a relaxed, yet professional, stance can let the other person know you're engaged in the conversation and mean what you say. Avoid crossing your arms, and look the other person in the eye if you're apologizing in person.
•Use the words "I'm sorry" or "I apologize." Consider using these exact words so the other person knows the purpose of your communication. Avoid saying things like, "I didn't mean to miss the meeting," and instead use, "I sincerely apologize for missing the meeting."
•Apologize privately. If you're able, find a private space where you can give your apology to the other person to help eliminate distractions, have an open dialogue about the situation and offer your apology without interruptions. Consider an empty conference room or office or go on a walk outside together.
•Focus on your own actions. Even if your actions are in response to another person's, it's best to only focus on your own mistakes when issuing an apology. Try to avoid statements that could seem like you're placing blame on someone else for the situation.
•Use "I" statements. It's important to avoid using "you" language and, instead, to use "I" statements, such as saying "I apologize for the way I made you feel." This reiterates that you're assuming responsibility for the situation and prevents the recipient from feeling defensive.
A key component of a good apology is expressing genuine regret for your actions and acknowledging the impact of the hurt you caused. This shows the person you’ve hurt that you understand the consequences of your actions and care about their feelings: Validate their feelings and emotions. Explain how your actions impacted them.
16 mag 2024 · Knowing how to apologize—and when—can repair damage in a relationship, but if you aren't sincerely apologizing, you can actually make things worse. A sincere and effective apology is one that communicates genuine empathy, remorse, and regret as well as a promise to learn from your mistakes .
- Elizabeth Scott, Phd
16 gen 2024 · 12 tips for how to apologize genuinely and professionally. So what is the best way to apologize to make sure all parties feel respected and valued? Here are five key factors that help improve any apology: 1. Express sincere regret. Telling someone you apologize isn’t enough for a good apology.
20 mag 2024 · There are several key elements to a sincere apology. Giving an honest, heartfelt expression of regret can help ensure the person you're apologizing to feels genuinely heard and valued. Acknowledge the mistake: Stating what you did wrong shows you’ve taken the time to understand how your actions affected the other person.
21 dic 2023 · How to apologize genuinely. For an apology to be effective, it has to be genuine. A successful apology validates that the other person felt offended, and acknowledges responsibility (you accept that your actions caused the other person pain).
