Excessive apologizing can take away others’ confidence in you as a leader. Instead, practice moves like thanking people for waiting if you are late to a meeting rather than saying, “sorry,” writes Judith Humphrey. Avoid apologizing before giving bad news so you don’t reinforce the negativity of what you will say, and focus on solutions rather than feeling sorry for not being able to meet a deadline.
Source: Fast Company, July 31, 2017.
In all these situations, there are often better ways to communicate than by saying you’re sorry. Don’t drag yourself down. Show your empathy and emotional intelligence by finding solutions, not apologies.
INSIGHTS: The risk in saying “sorry” too much is that apologies carry baggage that can undermine others’ confidence in you. This is good coaching as you work through the day-to-day interactions with clients and colleagues.