Everyone makes mistakes, especially the boss. That’s why it’s important to consider the best way to apologize for the mishap even as a boss. If you make a mistake, apologize whether it’s to your customers, employees or co-workers. A good apology is one of the most important tools in workplace communication. Especially as an entrepreneur or manager, the first step toward apologizing is your mindset: You have to own your mistakes.
These tips can provide more insight into how entrepreneurs and managers should apologize to their customers and team if they make a mistake. The most important aspect of an apology from management is owning the mistake. Managers & Entrepreneurs have to lead by example. By showing you’re not afraid to be wrong, you empower your team to do the same.
Be The Boss, Even While Apologizing
Being a great boss doesn’t mean you have to be perfect (even managers are human, after all). Nonetheless it does mean you should own up to your mistakes and apologize when you’re in the wrong. Even so if it’s hard or embarrassing, or the mistake seems insignificant.
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Whether you’ve called out an employee for missing a deadline that isn’t actually until next week; miscalculated a sales quote; or were uncharacteristically snappy during the weekly team call. A genuine “I’m sorry” will mean a lot to your employees. It’ll also make you a better, more respected leader in the process.
Made a Mistake in Real Time, Address it on the Spot
There will inevitably be times when your memory fails you or you say something that sounds a little harsh. When you catch yourself making a mistake in the moment, pause, take a breath, and acknowledge your error.
Catching these slip-ups as soon as they happen will help to keep them from turning into larger issues. Letting a harsh comment or an erroneous statement slide can breed resentment among your team. Especially if you regularly ignore your mistakes. Your employees may start to wonder why you’re always so grumpy or why you don’t take time to read through their reports in advance.
So address the mistake, apologize with sincerity, and move on. And the last part is key. You don’t want to prolong the conversation by getting hung up on the details. Besides that’s just unnecessary and uncomfortable for everyone involved. If you’re concerned that your slip of the tongue might require a more thorough apology after the fact, you can always follow up directly with the person or people you offended.
Apologize in Front of Your Team
The general rule is if you make a mistake in “public” within your company, you should apologize in front of your whole team. This should be in person or over video chat (if you manage remote employees) and should spur discussion about lessons and solutions moving forward. Again, apologizing can be an opportunity to practice company culture and embrace the benefits of making mistakes.
Apologize in Private
If an incident occurs with a specific employee and other team members witness it, it’s important to apologize to that person in private and again in front of the whole team. A “public” apology can provide justice to your employee and show that you’re aware of what happened. The private apology can further heal any wounds the event caused.
Apologies and Company Culture
As a boss, you’re going to make mistakes at work, and you’re going to have to apologize for them. Take note of how your apologies are received at work. Workers should be aware of how their colleagues and bosses apologize when they make mistakes. If managements are routinely making excuses, covering up problems or stubbornly blaming others for issues, it may be time for customers and employees to consider a switch to a new company.
As with any job, task or relationship, everyone’s true colors are exposed when things get difficult and people are tested. Mistakes and apologies provide windows into who you as a company or boss really are, giving an opportunity to assess your current working situation and determine if the company culture is the right fit.
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