Saturday, April 04, 2020

A Proper Apology


There is saying, be slow to criticize and fast to apologize.  A proper apology takes little time, and can do an lot to quell bad feelings. 

There are a few steps to doing this right. 

  • Take ownership of the problem.  
  • Acknowledge the impact on the other person. 
  • Promise to do better. 
  • If appropriate, describe steps taken to prevent the action from happening again. 


Here is an example:

  • I sincerely apologize for the idiot that is president of the United States.  
  • I understand that his stupidity, insecurities, and racism have set world progress back a century.  He never should have happened.  
  • I promise to continue to work to change the political compromise that allowed the loser of the popular vote to be elected, we should have fixed that decades ago. 
  • I assure you I will vote in the next election, and encourage my like minded friends to vote. 
  • As soon as he is out of office, we will work to undo the mess that he has caused.  
  • I am so sorry, we should have done better.  


So there are the elements, take ownership, offer a sincere apology, acknowledge the harm, promise to do better, offer steps to be taken. 

If I had said, sorry, but I didn't vote for the idiot (and I didn't) the apology has much less impact, it is in effect, saying sorry but it is not my problem. 

What else do I need to apologize for today? 

17 comments:

  1. I don't know...but apologies always start good with a poured gin.

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  2. Well... as a Canadian, apology not accepted until we see what happens after November 2020.... hmmm. ; )

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    Replies
    1. If needed, would Canada please invade and annex us?

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  3. Well in my household, "I'm sowwy, let mama kiss and make it better" works. It brings on chuckles and eases tension, so win/win.
    I apologize for Steven's lack of Canadian politeness in not accepting your apology. These are, however, desperate times.

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  4. I am afraid, so afraid that our idiot President will somehow use COVID 19 to try to delay the November election. He wants to become a Putin--ruling forever, seemingly.

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    Replies
    1. If he tries, I think even the Senate might vote against him

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    2. God, I hope so. He has got to go--NOW!!!

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    3. The sooner the better

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  5. I love this! You've summed up this apology quite nicely. However, BethB's fear has creeped into my mind also.

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  6. Anonymous4/04/2020

    A gracious apology for what you are not responsible for, and strangely no blogger in your country who I follow.

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  7. Excellent. So few want to apologize these days. I remember knowing when and how to do so was a sign of a true gentleman.

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