Why bosses find 'I'm sorry' so hard to say, and how to do it properly
Business founder Kelvin Kao says bosses should be willing to apologise to their staff if they get something wrong, but many seem reluctant to do so for reasons such as fear of reputational damage or even legal liability.
Business leaders often struggle to apologize to their employees when they make mistakes. There are several reasons for this reluctance, including fear of negative repercussions and a tendency to place blame on external factors. One founder, Kelvin Kao, recently admitted to failing to meet a deadline, which caused his team to work long hours to catch up.
While his team forgave him, he understood that a true apology must be specific and genuine, rather than a mere expression of regret. Apologies should acknowledge the impact on employees, avoid defensiveness and take on responsibility for their actions. By doing so, leaders can build trust and foster a healthier work environment.
Written by urgent.news from Channel News Asia's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
