So, you made a mistake at work? Maybe fail to comply with a deadline or miscommunication with a co-worker. It’s common. Messing up at the workplace has endless ways. Luckily, to make things right after committing a mistake are as many.
Apologising after committing a mistake requires essential expertise, but what is the right way to apologies to your boss or co-workers?
Saying ”I’m sorry” isn’t enough. An effectual apology is one where a person accepts the circumstances and eventually works towards making things better. We all don’t possess this skill, it has to be learned through experience. Taking some time out of your busy schedule and learning the fundamentals of apologising can help smooth up the process.
Saying sorry in the workplace can be sensitive. But, it also depends on the gravity of your mistake (particularly if it involves legal or a public backlash), finding the resolve to apologise can be difficult. But not being apologetic can make things get out of control.
So, what are the best ways to apologise effectively? Take into consideration these 8 steps before you attempt to smooth things:
Be Sincere
When you apologise, it has to be wholeheartedly, or else your apology is nothing but meaningless. Your colleagues will know if you aren’t sincere with your apology and an insincere apology is more than worthless: it is disrespectful.
Even if you don’t feel like apologising or you think you have done nothing wrong, consider the fact that a simple mistake has made other’s lives a bit harder. You can agree to disagree. One must always start from a sincere place.
Show empathy
Always put yourself in other co-worker’s shoes and think about what you want them to do if the situation was reversed? Scrutinise the situation step by step to truly understand where they are coming from and what they might be feeling. Thinking through all of this and understanding the sentiments involved will make your apology much easier.
Take responsibility
It is always a good idea to own up to your mistakes. In my personal view, it is the hardest part. Most people hate being wrong. Owning up to a mistake expresses your intentions to other people of being sincere and compassionate with how they feel. It will signify that you are a courageous and confident person when it comes to accepting mistakes.
Recognise what others are feeling
Being a human means we have emotions and one’s actions can affect the people around us. Speak to your colleagues and try to show that you understand that your mistake or actions have greatly affected them. It will help with reconciliation.
Offer your rational and not your excuses
When apologising one must not make excuses for the mistake. It is always better to provide them with a rationale that will make them understand why you had to commit such an action. It is important to note that if you can’t distinguish between making a mistake and giving an explanation, it is best not to say anything.
Be ok with the awkwardness of the situation
Apologizing and awkwardness go hand in hand. Be straightforward when apologising and try to be candid to help reduce some of the tension.
Offer ways to make it up to them
A great way to show that you are sorry to your co-workers is by suggesting ways on how you can make it up to them. Of course, it has to be realistic and will prevent any future mistakes from happening again. While it’s ok to make a mistake once, you need to make sure you don’t do it again.
Learn from your mistake
Screwing up is part of life. If you did make a mistake, learn from it and try your best to avoid it in the future. Ask for help if you need to because it will show others that you are trying your best.
Conclusion
Nobody’s perfect. Saying sorry can only make you a better person and subsequently, you’ll find yourself having to apologise at your workplace. Any form of apology is very uncomfortable and it emphasises that we should always be aware of how our actions and words affect others. Taking responsibility for our mistakes, recognising how our actions affected other people, learn to make amends and make things better.
Working in an office can often lead to sparks. Here are some tips on how to manage office relationships:
How to Win Your New Colleagues Over in Your New Job?
6 Tips to Working with People You Don’t Like
How to Reject a Colleague Who Wants to Date You
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Nice Blog..
Thanks for sharing..
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Thank you so much!
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Apt! Thanks for sharing.
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Thank you so much!
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Good advice.
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Thank you so much!
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I couldn’t agree more with you.
One of our family mottoes says if you did something wrong, apologize as much as you can. The more the better.
Also the same with thank you. If someone did something to you, thank as much as possible the more the better.
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Good wisdom! Thanks for sharing.
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Ugh I hate messing up at work because you have to go back every day after that. Great tips for apologizing. It isn’t easy, but definitely the best move.
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Same for me too! It’s easy but at least, these are the ways to let you survive longer. Lol.
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I never apologize, I just keep failing upwards! Corporate culture that promotes screwups just to get them out of the way means everyday is a good day for stupid idiot dummies like myself.
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Haha. Good one. I wish I have guts like yours.
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Reblogged this on Love and Love Alone.
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Thanks for sharing.
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Mrs Kelly I really appreciate your support in write up,keep it up,tnx
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Thank you so much!
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So true!
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Thank you so much!
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Thank you for sharing these very useful advices, Kally! I hope you had a enjoyable weekend, and a wonderful start into the new week. Please stay save! Michael
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You’re most welcome. Thank you so much for adding positivity in my life, Michael.
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:-)) You as well, Kally!
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In the course of working for the same place for thirty years, I made my share of mistakes. I agree, it is very important to own your mistakes and do what you can to make up for and correct what has been done.
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Absolutely agreeing with your, Rebecca. The worst will be not acknowledging you’re wrong and hiding behind your mistakes. Thank you so much!
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True, apolizing in some situations are usually sensitive and the thought of not knowing how to do it right always hinders us from saying just a simple sorry. Great pointers.
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Thank you so much! Have an awesome day!
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Welcome. Have a good one to
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Thanks for sharing these points, Kally. Taking responsibility stands out for me. ❤
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I think it’s important not to hide behind your mistakes.
Always good to see you here, Herry.
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Kally, as usual your blog is spot on! Gary Chapman (et.al) has a follow up to his famous “The 5 Love Languages,” called “The 5 Language of Apology.” Basically a book rendition of what you said in less than 1000 words! 😉
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Oh wow! I need to catch up with all the books you’ve recommended me, C.A Post. Thank you so much!
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Beautiful post
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Thank you so much! Have a wonderful day.
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You to 💋❤
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Another Awesome one Kally.
Here’s the deal: YOU know you messed up, and far more than likely, do your Boss and Co-workers. (Speaking from personal experience here)
So IF you choose to pretend that your not responsible for the mess-up; your trying to fool yourself AND everyone one else.
Permit Me, to share a personal story. (Which haunts ME, though long retied to this very day.
I was Operations Manager for a Multi-Million $$$$$ company; and had therefore DIRECT responsibility for ALL of the Operational Departments, including our “Payroll” Department which was administered by our Human Rescues Manager. One week during the PEAK business period; she was OVER-Worked, and significantly missed the Payroll- Budget for the week.
Our mutual BOSS (the BIG-Boss) freaked out, and “lost it” (the ONLY time I ever knew of “Mr. Always Professional to do so), and in a management meeting He asked “who was responsible “(HE OF COURSE KNEW) , but he was seeking a public “confession.”
The SWAMPED PR manger “fessed up” (AND I FAILED TO COVER HER MISTAKE; EVEN THOUGH IT WAS MY RESPONSIBILITY TO OVER-SEE PR’s work. (I FAILED to give her the help and support she needed that week; not recognizing that the seasonal interviewing workload (needed; actually logically, demanded assistance.)
That gutless mistake, forever changed my relationship with ALL of the companies managers. And I ended up leaving the company. PROVING that to “assume” it will work out always makes a “ASS/U/ME”), IS proven wisdom.
If your a manager; PROTECT all those under your responsibility; and TAKE the heat of them.
The problem may NOT “have been my fault”; BUT IT WAS MY RESPONSIBILITY.
i Failed myself, by team, the company and ended up paying the ultimate price.
Please learn from MY screwup!
God Bless you,
Patrick
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I appreciate you sharing your experiences with us. Truly a great insight. And you are so great to have learned from your mistakes and your willingness to share so that nobody makes the same error. Kudos to you on that, Patrick.
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When we apologise, we feel free and relaxed.
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Have a wonderful day.
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You too.
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Reblogged this on worldtraveller70.
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Nice post
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Thank you so much! Have a wonderful day.
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Thank you so much for these tips! I always dread that I’ll mess up an apology at work and make things worse. That does encourage me to do my best to avoid a situation where I would need to apologize, but it’s best to be prepared since it will happen to all of us someday. 😊
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