From Mess To Success:

Right Wrongs

• Consider instituting a pre-forgiveness culture with your team. Talk with each other about what that really means and come to some agreements about the positive and negative implications.

• If you’ve violated an expectation or broken a promise, acknowledge it. Resist the urge to rationalize.

• Take full responsibility by offering an unconditional apology, then take action to right the wrong. An excuse-laden apology is only remembered for the excuse, not the apology.

• Recognize that if you have to apologize often, there may be other issues to address. Also remember the adage “If you’re not pissing someone off, you’re probably not accomplishing anything.” Find the balance between them.