The following great advice about how to apologize is from the new book, The Courage Solution, by Mindy Mackenzie. I'll be posting a full review of the book in a few days. In the meantime, Mackenzie recommends you include these three elements when you apologize:
- Actually say "I'm sorry" out loud, while making eye contact, if possible.
- Acknowledging your error by adding the phrase "I was wrong...but more importantly, you were right."
- Asking humbly, "How can I fix this?" Keep in mind that an effective apology requires you to have actually begun working on a solution by the time you get to this step.