How to Apologize to Someone With Grace and Professionalism (2024)

When you know you did something wrong, it can feel nerve-wracking to take the next step: A sincere apology.

Apologies don’t come easy. Especially good ones. However, they’re crucial elements to build relationships and improve communication. Knowing how to apologize professionally and respectfully is a difficult skill to hone.

Let’s explore how to apologize to someone and why good apologies matter both at work and in your personal life.

Why most apologies don’t work

If you’re like most people, you’ve probably heard and made an apology that didn’t feel that great.

So why don’t these apologies work?

Let’s break down an example of a bad apology to see the problem:

“I’m sorry that you feel upset by what happened. I didn’t mean to make you feel belittled, but I was trying to impress the client, and that’s why I said what I said. I apologize.”

The first thing the apologizer says is, “I’m sorry that you feel upset by what happened.” This doesn’t mean the apologizer is sorry about what they did. Instead, they’re unhappy that the other person is feeling upset.

When the apologizer says, “I didn’t mean to make you feel belittled,” they’re not taking ownership for what happened. And when they try to justify what happened by saying, “I was trying to impress the client, and that’s why I said what I said,” the apology is focused on making excuses, not apologizing.

The other person likely feels like the apologizer doesn’t value them as much as their own ego.

So why do people apologize this way?

It’s not easy to admit that you did something wrong. And not just to the other person, but to yourself, too. No one wants to feel bad about themselves.

So sometimes people use apologies to convince themselves there’s a reason they acted as they did.

This focuses apology on the apologizer, not on the wronged person.

Why a good apology is crucial

Good apologies are difficult, but they’re crucial to master for both ongoing relationship management as well as effective communication.

Knowing how to admit your wrongdoings is necessary for building healthy long-term relationships. That’s because apologies prevent the buildup of resentment.

Everyone can make mistakes. They’re inevitable. But apologies help people overcome these mistakes together.

Good apologies are especially important at work. An inability to apologize can lead to toxic leadership and toxic workplace culture. When people in the workplace are unable to own up to their mistakes, resentment between colleagues can develop over time.

It’s also difficult to create a culture of accountability and build trust between colleagues. Accountability relies on people owning up to their mistakes.

By apologizing with sincerity, you also signal to other people that you understand you did something wrong. When your colleagues realize you understand your mistakes, they can learn to trust you better.

Additionally, an effective apology helps the other person regain their dignity. They can rest easy knowing that what happened wasn’t their fault. It can also help them save face in front of other coworkers.

12 tips for how to apologize genuinely and professionally

So what is the best way to apologize to make sure all parties feel respected and valued?

Here are five key factors that help improve any apology:

1. Express sincere regret

Telling someone you apologize isn’t enough for a good apology. It’s also important to let them know that you regret what you did.

Not only should you take responsibility for what happened, but you should let them know that you feel bad about how you made them feel.

Some things you can say to express remorse and regret in a sincere way include:

• “I wish I’d considered how this would make you feel before I acted.”
• “I wish I could take back what I did.”
• “I regret not having thought this through first.”

2. Make amends

Part of apologizing is showing, not just telling. And to show you’re sorry, amends are necessary.

Amends also help to at least partially repair the damage that was done. For example, offer to repair or replace an item if you actually physically damaged it.

If you instead made a person at work feel less valued, see what you can do to show them that you actually do value them. For instance, give them an opportunity to showcase their skills at work.

3. Make sure your apology is for the right reasons

Sometimes, you may apologize in a situation where both you and the other person have hurt feelings. But make sure you don’t apologize just to get an apology in return.

Let’s take a look at an example. You accidentally shred important papers that your coworker left near the shredder.

You apologize for shredding the documents without double-checking what they were. But you also expect an apology because your colleague left the papers in the wrong place.

However, your colleague may still be too upset to apologize right away. Remember that you can only control your own actions and how you react to other people’s actions. But you cannot force someone to apologize.

Make an apology to clear your conscience and give peace to yourself and the other person. This will help you move forward regardless of what the other person does.

Keep in mind that if the other person doesn’t apologize, you have the power to not let this hurt you. Over time, it can actually hurt the other person more than you if they don’t apologize.

4. Choose your timing correctly

Apologies are important. But like anything else, there’s a time and place for them.

Let’s say you notice that the other person is still very upset and needs time to process. This means you should wait before you apologize.

When emotions are still high, an apology can fuel a fire.

With the paper shredding incident, your colleague may be in a panic upon discovery of their shredded documents. Apologizing right away while they are still panicking is probably not the right move. Wait until they’ve calmed down a bit first.

5. Only apologize for your part in the conflict

An apology helps you take responsibility for what you (or your team) did. But over-apologizing isn’t beneficial, either. The entire conflict may not be your fault.

If we go back to the paper shredding incident, it was your fault for not looking at what you decided to shred. But it wasn’t your fault that your colleague left those papers in the wrong place.

And when you admit fault for the entire conflict, several issues can happen.

First, you’ll be taking on unnecessary extra blame if you take accountability for the entire conflict. Second, you’ll make it more difficult for the other person to apologize for their part.

Women especially should be on the lookout for this behavior in themselves. According to research, women tend to apologize more than men.

6. Provide context without making excuses

When offering an explanation, aim to provide context rather than making excuses. Help the other person understand the circ*mstances that led to the situation without diminishing your accountability. For example, share the factors that contributed to your actions without using them as a way to avoid responsibility.

7. Admit your error

Acknowledge your mistake directly and without hesitation. Avoid downplaying or deflecting blame. By openly admitting your error, you demonstrate honesty and integrity. Acknowledging your mistake is a crucial step in the apology process, showing that you are aware of the impact of your actions.

8. Take ownership of your actions

Accept responsibility for the consequences of your actions. Avoid shifting blame onto external factors or other people. Taking ownership of your actions reinforces your commitment to making amends and rebuilding trust. By acknowledging your role, you create a foundation for a sincere and meaningful apology.

9. Propose a solution where applicable

If possible, offer a solution to rectify the situation. This demonstrates your commitment to making amends and actively contributing to resolving the issue. Whether it's correcting a mistake, replacing a damaged item, or taking specific actions to address the consequences, proposing a solution adds substance to your apology.

10. Request forgiveness

Express a genuine desire for forgiveness. Asking for forgiveness demonstrates humility and a recognition of the other person's feelings. Be sincere in your request, understanding that forgiveness is a personal choice and may take time. Avoid pressuring the person to forgive immediately; instead, emphasize your commitment to earning back their trust.

11. Be authentic and genuine

Sincerity is key to a meaningful apology. Ensure that your words and actions align with genuine remorse. Avoid appearing insincere or apologetic for the sake of convenience. A sincere apology fosters trust and opens the door for genuine reconciliation.

12. Follow through on your commitments

After offering your apology, follow up with concrete actions to demonstrate your commitment to change. Whether it's implementing the proposed solution, making amends, or taking steps to prevent a recurrence, follow-through reinforces the sincerity of your apology.

How to apologize professionally in an email

But what if you’re making an apology over email? You may have messed up at work or with an acquaintance.

Whether you’re speaking face-to-face or writing an apology, keep the same elements in mind.

Express regret and apologize for the right reasons. Wait for the right time. Work towards making amends for your part of the conflict.

These factors shouldn’t change because your apology is over email.

How many times should you apologize?

When you make a big mistake, it can be tempting to apologize repeatedly.

But when you make a good apology, you shouldn’t apologize more than once.

Several apologies can instead have the opposite effect. It puts a spotlight on your mistakes. But it also puts pressure on the wronged person.

Every time you make an apology, they need to listen again and respond. It places the burden on them to reassure you that there’s no need to make another apology.

How to apologize when you are not wrong

Whether you did something wrong is subjective.

From your point of view, you may believe you did nothing wrong. But if your actions have hurt someone, how they feel is valid too.

People can get hurt even if you didn’t intend for it to happen. People can also get hurt when you believe you did nothing wrong.

So, in some cases, it makes sense to apologize despite your beliefs.

You should choose to apologize despite not being wrong if you value the relationship with the other person over being right. Even if you think you are right, is winning an argument worth a fallout in a relationship?

If you don’t think it does, then apologizing makes sense.

This can also apply in the workplace.

Being a great team leader means being partly responsible when someone on your team makes a mistake. Even if you did everything right, the appropriate measure should be to apologize.

So how do you apologize when you aren’t wrong, or rather, if you believe you aren’t wrong?

Start by acknowledging how the other person feels. Like any other apology, express regret over what happened.

If you’re apologizing on behalf of someone on your team, don’t make excuses for them. Keep the apology focused on you.

Here’s an example of what not to say:

“The person on my team should have used better judgment, and I’m sorry they didn’t.”

Instead, say this:

“I should have kept a closer eye on what was going on. I’m sorry I failed to do so.”

Should there be a follow-up to an apology?

Apologizing is one step of the equation. But it’s important to follow up on your apology by asking for forgiveness.

Apologizing and asking for forgiveness aren’t the same thing. While apologies are about admitting wrongdoing, asking for forgiveness is an extra step to mend a relationship when someone is hurt.

Keep in mind that you aren’t entitled to immediate forgiveness. Depending on the level of hurt, the other person may not be ready to forgive just yet.

And making someone forgive you can make them feel worse than they already do.

Once you’ve apologized the right way, made amends, and asked for forgiveness, the ball is no longer in your court. It’s now up to the other person to respond, and you can spend time forgiving yourself.

Don’t immediately get angry if they don’t respond how you wished they would. Consider how they’re feeling and remember that they may need space because they are hurt.

Learn how to apologize sincerely

Learning how to make the best apologies comes with time. It takes self-development and growth to get better at apologizing.

Now that you have the tools and tips necessary to make a sincere apology, you can feel (slightly) better the next time you have to apologize.

Published January 16, 2024