Comments on: The Right Way to Apologize

By: Maurilio Amorim

Maurilio Amorim — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 09:07:42 +0000

Mr Data,Your job is to sincerely apologize; however, you have no control whether it will be received or not. That's up to the other person. Interestingly the apology will do more for you than for them. Once you do the right thing, it's officially over. Now the ball is on their court and they have to deal with it.

By: Mr Data

Mr Data — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 00:56:09 +0000

How do you apologize to someone who gives you the 'cold shoulder' treatment?I mean they are not going to listen to you so what does it take?Screaming it out of frustration?

By: Jon Bean

Jon Bean — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 11:07:25 +0000

I don't think I've seen a company deal with something like this with as much acceptance of blame and sincerity. This was a great example and thankfully goes counter to the mindset that leaders don't admit weakness or apologize when they are wrong.

By: suydam

suydam — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 14:43:45 +0000

I wonder if Apple will apologize to iPhone developers for how they've handled a series of recent App Store blunders. I give Bezos major credit for taking that approach.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 11:48:06 +0000

I think you left off an important part of an "apology". The part where we ask forgiveness.The way I apologize is…"I am sorry for ________ will you forgive me?"

By: Chris

Chris — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 13:10:24 +0000

Someone emailed me with "I'm sorry you feel this way." This is not an apology, it's just acknowledging that I'm not happy with them. It's restating the obvious. Bezo's note is a true apology.

By: Kathryn Lang

Kathryn Lang — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 13:09:12 +0000

Sometimes I think it is easier apologizing to an equal (like a spouse) than to someone that you are over (at work or in the home – like your children). I do think that a real apology has to take the blame and then give an explanation of how things will be different in the future!