I’m Sorry, Can We Have a Procedure for Saying Sorry?
What’s it all about?
In today’s world, public apologies seem to be commonplace, like gravel on a pothole-ridden Malaysian road – they’re everywhere, an irritation, and there seems to be more of them every day. Apologies, once rare, are now expected from everyone, from politicians to business leaders. But are these apologies sincere, or just a way to save face and appease public opinion?
What’s the problem with public apologies?
If you’re a politician apologizing for the sorry state of affairs you caused or neglected or encouraged, can you please explain what exactly you are apologizing for? It would make things easier for us to decide whether to accept your apologies or not. When leaders give praises, they are encouraged to be precise – not just stating a random and trite "good job!" but to give specific comments pointing out the actual acts that deserve praise. The same is just as true in a mea culpa.
After apologizing, what’s next?
Here’s the big question: what are you going to do about it, now that you’ve apologized and "taken responsibility" for your mistakes or lapses or infractions or incompetence or negligence? Talk is cheap. Your saying sorry just makes you the most recent addition to the current trendy crowd of those "apologizing and taking full responsibility." While talk is cheap, the consequences of whatever you did that need apologizing for is most certainly not.
Enough drama, already
And, sorry again, but I must admit public opinion can be toxic at times. There are many ill-meaning people probably just like you who enjoy seeing somebody grovel and suffer because that means, for that particular moment anyway, they themselves aren’t grovelling or suffering! So don’t say sorry just to save your sorry a** (and sorry for not being allowed to fully spell out the word). Don’t do it just to bend public opinion your way. Don’t do it to put on a political drama, because we’ve had enough of that already.
Villains and heroes
We also understand in today’s polarized world almost anything that’s wrong with one side is right with the other. A villain, literal or figurative, is also a hero to another crowd. Our collective moral compass often fails us in an increasingly fractured world.
Follow procedure, please
Somebody should come out with a standard operating procedure for such public apologies. We need to get this done right. Such a procedure would help to ensure that apologies are sincere, specific, and actionable. It would also help to reduce the drama and theatrics often associated with public apologies.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while apologies are important, they alone are not enough. What’s more important is taking responsibility, being specific about what’s being apologized for, and making amends. Let’s strive for a culture where apologies are genuine, meaningful, and lead to positive change.
FAQs
- What’s the best way to apologize?
- Be specific about what you’re apologizing for
- Take responsibility for your actions
- Make amends and take concrete steps to correct the situation
- Why are public apologies important?
- They show that you value the other person’s feelings and well-being
- They can help to build trust and repair relationships
- They can lead to personal growth and self-reflection
- Can public apologies be insincere?
- Yes, apologies can be insincere if they’re not accompanied by concrete actions
- Insincere apologies can lead to further damage and mistrust
- Sincere apologies, on the other hand, can lead to healing and reconciliation