When To Apologize
A sign an apology might be needed is when someone looks ______ or hurt.
Upset
Is this sincere or insincere?
“Sorry you feel that way.”
Insincere
A sincere apology should clearly say what you ______.
Did / what happened
True or False: Not all problems come from bad intentions.
True
True or False: An apology alone always rebuilds trust immediately.
False
True or False: You should only apologize if you did something on purpose.
False.
Is this sincere or insincere?
“I’m sorry I interrupted you.”
Sincere
What does taking responsibility mean?
Owning your actions without blaming others
When communication breaks down, what should you do first?
Pause / stay calm
What is one thing you can do after apologizing to rebuild trust?
Follow through / change behavior
Name one situation at work or school where an apology may be needed.
Examples: interrupting, making a mistake, being late, speaking rudely
Which apology is better?
A. “Sorry, but it wasn’t my fault.”
B. “I made a mistake and I’m sorry.”
B
Why is it important to acknowledge the other person’s feelings?
It shows understanding and respect
What does it mean to clarify what you meant?
Explain more clearly / fix confusion
Why do actions matter after an apology?
They show the apology is real
If a misunderstanding caused a problem, what is one helpful first step?
Apologize / check in / clarify
True or False: A sincere apology takes responsibility.
True
What is one sentence starter for a sincere apology?
“I’m sorry I…” / “I didn’t mean to…” / “I understand that…”
Give one respectful phrase you can use to fix a misunderstanding.
“Let me explain,” “That’s not what I meant,” “Can we talk?”
If someone needs time after an apology, what should you do?
Be patient / respect their feelings
Why is it better to apologize sooner rather than later?
It helps fix the problem, shows responsibility, rebuilds trust
Name one thing that can make an apology feel insincere.
Blaming others, excuses, sarcasm, no eye contact
Put these in the correct order:
Acknowledge feelings
Apologize
3. Say what you did
3 → 2 → 1
Why is fixing misunderstandings important at work?
Keeps relationships positive, avoids conflict, builds trust
Finish this sentence:
Trust is rebuilt when words and ______ match.
Actions