ACTION 1UNDERSTAND WHY APOLOGIZES ARE IMPORTANT Apologizes are meaningful and effective, only if they are done with sincere regret and empathy. Apologizes are meaningful, because they give the person you hurt the opportunity to move on. More so, apologizes are effective, because they can deescalate a very bad situation. Whether intentional or not, your wrongdoing have consequences and side effects. To be clear, to apologize is not about you, but the person that you've hurt. |
ACTION 2TIME YOUR APOLOGY APPROPRIATELY There is no better time to apologize, than the right time to apologize. Sometimes, identifying when the best time to apologize can be challenging, however do it before its too late.
We're all potent to making mistakes, but that doesn't mean we're exempt from giving apologizes. |
ACTION 3ARRANGE FOR THE APOLOGY Arranging the apology is the most strategic task at hand. The person that you hurt is boiling hot water and want to fight you at any chance--which is understandable. Be respectful of their feelings, and be mindful why they're upset with you. Give them time, however advise them that you would like to apologize face-to-face. Please, take into consideration the following example:
The above example had a soft approach; showing empathy and understanding. Now, preview a bad example of arranging an apology:
That was an awful apology because it made an excuse to say sorry, instead of showing regret of the situation. Put yourself in their shoes, and be careful what you say and how you say it. |
ACTION 4NOW, SAY SORRY, AND MEAN IT This step is about you being regretful and showing empathy for your wrongdoing. This is not about you trying to make amends, but you doing the right thing. Being face-to-face to someone that is upset may be uncomfortable, however actions do have consequences. Some consequences are good, others are not. ACTION 5WORK ON BECOMING A HONEST PERSON This is potent because hurting people through selfishness and ego is unjust. Truth is, you're better than the harm you enact on others. |