Sorry comes in two variants. Choice architecture anyone?
And often times, we ‘ miss the wood for the trees ‘.
” I am sorry your dog died ” does not mean that you killed the dog. Not at all.
” I am sorry I tripped you ” does mean that you tripped some one.
In creating connection and trying to make amends, we often get confused by the two kinds of sorry, and hence don’t apologize because we think that the problem wasn’t our fault.
” The homepage of our relationship cannot be currently displayed because of a server error. Can we please click on the refresh button and start all over again? I am sorry “.
Sorry doesn’t take things back, but it pushes things forward. It bridges the gap. Sorry is a sacrament. It’s an offering. A gift.
One of the hardest things you may ever have to do in life is to deliver an apology. A true and sincere apology offers real regret and remorse for our actions, and carries a promise that we won’t do it again. It means acknowledging our faults, taking responsibility for the things we have done wrong, and opens a dialogue between two people. An apology, when correctly given and sincerely meant, can create deeper and more trusting relationships.
An apology is a good way to have the last word. And the first to move things forward. And make a relationship last.
The most important trip you may take in life is meeting people halfway–Henry Boye
ENDS