4 Keys to Apologies

I’ve been working on my apologies lately. Apologies can be powerful in helping all involved move forward if done well and can perpetuate harm if done poorly. At a recent restorative justice training I attended we discussed their keys to an effective apology. Here are the four key components to an apology outlined by David Karp.

  1. What happened – “I spilled the milk.”
  2. My role.  “I spilled the milk.”
  3. What I won’t do. “I won’t spill the milk again.”
  4. What I will do. “From now on, I will use two hands when I grab the milk.”

There are plenty of opportunities to observe and evaluate celebrity apologies for these components. Then you can practice and evaluate your own apologies. I think we all have plenty of opportunities.

Want to work more closely with Keith?

Leaders and organizations turn to Keith as an authentic educator, trusted leader, and unconventional scholar helping them advance leadership, learning, and equity.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *