Sincere Professional Apologies

Sincere professional apologies can go a long way toward fence-mending in business. An apology must be separated from an explanation or any attempt to share blame. What to do: Apologize directly. Once the other person has accepted your apology, you can try to explain or excuse yourself. Offer to discuss the problem further, but do not insist on it. Make the apology face-to-face if possible or at least on Skype or by phone—do not use e-mail unless there is no alternative. Offer options to make things right, but do not assume that you know the best way to do so. Close by focusing on next steps. If the other person brings the matter up again, say that you consider it closed because you have offered an apology and he/she has accepted it.