Head of North American Marketing for Google Cloud (for Media, Entertainment and Games), Jade Bonacolta, recently blogged on the importance of “knowing our worth.”
For those who repeatedly say “sorry” when no apology is due . . . she writes: “Our words create a reality. The more we unnecessarily apologize, the less confidence we show (to ourselves and to others). And if we say ‘sorry’ every time we simply speak up on a work call or bump into a table, it actually dilutes the power of the word when we DO owe any apology.”
Bonacolta suggests these alternatives:
(1) “Sorry for rescheduling” —–> “Thanks for being flexible!”
(2) “Sorry to bother you” —–> “Thanks for carving out time.”
(3) “Sorry for venting” —–> “Thanks for listening.”
(4) ” Sorry for running late” (by 1-2 minutes) —–> “Thanks very much for waiting”
(5) “Sorry I had to take that call” —–>”Thanks for your patience.”
(6) “Sorry for jumping in” —–>”I have an idea that may help.”
(7) “Sorry for the mistake” —–>”Thanks for catching that!”
(8) “Sorry, I don’t get it” —–> “Could you repeat that? I just want to be clear.”
(9) “Sorry does that make sense?” —–>”I’m happy to answer any questions.”
Give these a try in your next entrepreneurial exchange and you may find everyone around the entrepreneurial table feels better respected and so better enabled to do great work.
And now it’s your turn: Do you apologize too easily? How will you integrate these alternatives into your work?