Buzz
Saying 'I’m sorry' often falls short. A meaningful apology must address several aspects of the wrongdoing. Research reveals six crucial components to crafting the ideal apology, some of which carry more weight than others.
The study, led by Roy Lewicki, Professor Emeritus of Management and Human Resources at The Ohio State University’s Fisher College of Business, and published in the journal Negotiation and Conflict Management Research, identifies these six key elements as part of an effective apology:
Expression of remorse
Clarification of the cause of the problem
Taking ownership of the situation
Expression of remorse
Commitment to making amends
Seeking pardon
These factors aren’t particularly surprising (we’ve even discussed some of them earlier), but the research further highlights that certain elements hold more significance than others. As Lewicki states, the most vital component of a sincere apology is acknowledging responsibility. If you’re at fault, admit it. The second crucial aspect, according to Lewicki, is making an effort to repair. If you express a desire to fix things, and clarify your approach, your apology will be much more effective. The least impactful component, however, was requesting forgiveness. If you omit one thing from your apology, make it this.
Image courtesy of artethgray.
