How To Apologize As A Boss That Made A Mistake

If you want to be a really good boss, you have to understand the fact that being perfect is impossible. German Trujillo Manrique states that every single manager or boss is first of all human so mistakes are bound to happen. However, how you apologize can definitely have a huge influence on how work is handled and how your entire team performs.

When you make a mistake, you have to apologize. How do you do it? Here are some tips to take into account.

Send Emails When Minor Mistakes Are Made

If inaccurate information was given to an employee, you did not approve something on time or you overlook important emails, it is usually enough to send an email or a message in the communication channel you use as an apology.

In many cases, when a small mistake happens, managers tend to ignore them. You will be tempted to do the same thing. However, if you do not ignore the small mistake, the employee sees it as a good sign. At the end of the day, any minor opportunity is a wonderful opportunity to increase your credibility and overall trust at work.

Address Slip-Ups In Real Time If Mistakes Are Noticed

It is a certainty that there will be moments when you will fail to remember something or you say something that is way too harsh. If you caught yourself making such a mistake, just pause and do acknowledge the mistake.

Since you catch slip-ups fast, they are stopped from becoming large issues. If the erroneous statements are let slide, resentment can appear among the team. This is especially the case in the event that you ignore the mistakes that you make. Do address all mistakes and be sincere when you apologize. Only after that you can move on. If you believe that what you said deserves a more serious apology in the future, do follow up with the people that were offended.

Face-To-Face Apologies Count

In the event that you missed a really important meeting or you hurt the feelings of one of your employees, you have to be sure you offer a face-to-face apology. The exact same thing is true when you are in doubt. Send employees calendar invitations or just stop by their desk when you can, as soon as possible following the event. A simple face-to-face apology can do wonders in building trust.

Team Meeting Apologies

When you make the mistake of calling out employees, when the team is together, be sure that the problem is addressed. Quick acknowledgments do wonders. Obviously, it is really important that you first discuss things with the employee or the group of employees in question. Ask for permission so you are allowed to talk about the incident when the team meeting happens. People are going to be really happy when they are vindicated in public. However, in other cases, things are better off to be resolved in private. Take into account the input that is offered by the employees and see if team meeting apologies are warranted.