How to Say 'Sorry'

The Power of a Sincere Apology

By Ariane de Bonvoisin

Apologies happen—sometimes multiple times a day. We apologize when we unintentionally say something hurtful, when we make a mistake at work, or when we bump into somebody on the street. And then there are the bigger apologies—those what we should have addressed months or years ago. Maybe we said something to alienate someone, perhaps we judged too quickly or did something that we regret. Saying “I'm sorry” remains one of the hardest things to do. We justify our actions, we present half-apologies, we blame the one we’ve hurt, or we expect something in return. Yet a true apology can clear the air and potentially heal a relationship.

Here are 10 guidelines on how to truly say "sorry."

Ariane de Bonvoisin is the author of The First 30 Days: Your Guide to Making Any Change Easier, now available in paperback.