I was there. I saw the above statement being delivered to the wide-eyed boss (Larry) with my own eyes. Larry had a mixture of pain, disappointment & desperation on his face.
I could see that this employee (Sidney) must have been very important to this company's long term survival but it was obvious the company was going to have to do without Sidney at this critical time in its existence.
I felt so bad for Larry & I tried to intercede on his behalf. I approached Sidney & asked what could be so important that he had to take off when the jobs of so many people depended on him?
He came right back at me & said he had no choice but he had offended someone &, as is standard operating procedure in the Good Ole USofA at this time, he needs to apologize to the person he has offended quickly, profusely & repeatedly.
He said to me with a look on his face that was akin to the look that must have been on the face of Moses as he got ready to part the Red Sea, "There is nothing more important than an apology!".
Did I just hear you say that you think I am making too much of our national obsession with apologizing? Well, smarty pants, wikiHow does not agree with you. Here is what wikiHow has to say about the Proper Way To Apologize...
(Want to check me out? Click here: http://www.wikihow.com/Apologize.)
Part 1 of 3: Preparing Your Apology
1. Give up the idea of being “right.”
2. Use “I”-statements.
3. Avoid justifying your actions.
4. Use excuses cautiously.
5. Avoid the “but” word.
6. Consider the other person’s needs and personality.
7. Write your apology down, if you like.
Part 2 of 3: Setting the Stage for Your Apology
1. Find the right time.
2. Do it in person.
3. Choose a quiet or private setting for the apology.
4. Make sure you have enough time to have a complete conversation.
Part 3 of 3: Making Your Apology
1. Use “integrative communication.”
2. Use open, humble body language.
3. State your regret.
4. Accept responsibility.
5. State how you will remedy the situation.
6. Listen to the other person.
7. End with gratitude.
8. Be patient.
9. Stick to your word.
I'm from the old days. In the old days here is what would have happened...
"Hey baby, I'm Sorry. Wanna go to the Chat & Chew & have a beer?"
Yes, in the old days, Sidney would be there to save his company during the most important week in its history.
Would I kid u?
Smartfella
(599)
Lagniappe: Past Foolishness...Or Is It's about Apologizing...
http://forii.blogspot.com/2010/06/pre-packaged-apology-pre-emptive.html
Lagniappe More: As they say in those TV Commercials, "But wait wait! There's more!" This is the bottom of the wikiHow link above that you did not click on...
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