icon
Home icon

Home

Jobs icon

Jobs

Reviews icon

Reviews

Network icon

Network

Resources icon

Resources

|For Employers icon

For Employers

logo
about
careers
FAQs
privacy policyterms & conditionsfor employers
112k
20k
icon
© 2022 Fairygodboss. All rights reserved.
My ProfileMy MessagesMy NetworkMy SettingsGroupsEventsMy PostsLog Out
Mystery Woman
Tell us more for better jobs, advice
and connections
YOUR GROUPS
Discover and join groups with like-minded women who share your interests, profession, and lifestyle.
COMPANIES YOU FOLLOW
Get alerted when there are new employee reviews.
YOUR JOB ALERTS
Get notified when new jobs are posted.
Your post is published!
Anonymous
09/18/19 at 4:50PM UTC
in
Career

I am sorry

Nothing says belittle me to your co-workers faster than analogizing all of the time. If you are late to a meeting, something like "I am glad you all waited, let's get started" would be better in the long run than saying "I am so sorry, I got tied up in something else and could not get here on time" You sound like you cannot manage your time.

Share

Join the conversation...
LEANNE TOBIAS
star-svg
4.05k
Investment real estate/sustainability
10/21/19 at 9:36PM UTC (Edited)
Good advice to women, who are often prone to over-apologizing. But your example doesn’t work for meetings unless you are running the meeting or a very senior participant, as “Let’s get on with it,” sounds peremptory, For a more junior employee, a brief explanation: “I was helping a customer.” “I was stuck on a conference call,” will suffice, after noting “Thanks for waiting,” or “I appreciate your waiting.” [And frankly, if a whole room of people has been waiting for you for more than a very few minutes, apologizing briefly for lateness might be in order— for men as well as women,]
Ruzana Glaeser
star-svg
950
Co-founder of brightmeetsbrave.com
09/24/19 at 5:54PM UTC
I am sorry can often be a credibility killer too, keep that in mind. It's hard to cut those out of our speeches if we are used to them being present, yet it's necessary. We have nothing to apologize for. Reserve "I'm sorry" for when we truly are sorry for causing people pain/discomfort, etc. https://www.linkedin.com/posts/bright-meets-brave_brightmeetsbrave-thrivingtogether-thrivetogether-activity-6555443348415492096-zg-C
Jennifer A
star-svg
968
09/20/19 at 4:03PM UTC
IMHO, being late is rude. So if I am late then I apologize for being rude...not for being late. If the meeting waited for me then I believe everyone who waited deserves an apology for my rudeness. If the meeting didn't wait, then the organizer deserves my apology AFTER the meeting. I do agree, an explanation isn't necessary. The why is not their concern, only my sincerity and the reason I am apologizing.
LEANNE TOBIAS
star-svg
4.05k
Investment real estate/sustainability
10/21/19 at 9:41PM UTC
, I feel better knowing that a colleague’s lateness was caused for a business reason, so I do appreciate hearing if that was a factor.
[email protected]
star-svg
53
Long term project and implementation manager
09/19/19 at 1:43PM UTC
Point taken.
Amylith
star-svg
198
back in college, grown kids, no obstacles.
09/19/19 at 1:35PM UTC
I agree with the principle but not the example. Being late and making people wait deserves an apology, but not necessarily an explanation. A simple, "I'm sorry I'm late, let's get started" will do. But there are many instances where we say we're sorry and we haven't done anything wrong. In those cases there are better ways to simply ask the question without the "I'm sorry to interrupt" preface, for example.
[email protected]
star-svg
53
Long term project and implementation manager
09/19/19 at 12:41PM UTC
The I'm sorry jar is an excellent idea. I may steal it.
Carrie Topolski
star-svg
2.34k
Empowering women and beyond!
09/19/19 at 11:49AM UTC (Edited)
I have a sorry jar on my desk to try and help someone who says sorry all the time. It's the "Saying I'm Sorry Unnecessarily" jar. It gets it's fill. :) I also have a swear jar. That one probably fills up more. :)
Annetta Moses
star-svg
1.31k
Consumer Insights and Strategy Leader
09/19/19 at 2:31AM UTC
The next time you arrive on time or early for a meeting and a superior arrives late, notice what that individual does. What I believe is appropriate is to notify someone that you will be late. Let that someone know if the meeting can proceed without you and you will join it in progress, wait until you arrive to start the meeting, or reschedule the meeting. When notifying someone that you will be late, provide an estimate of when you will arrive e.g. I am running 15 minutes late, I should arrive by 10:15 a.m. In the business world things happen.
LEANNE TOBIAS
star-svg
4.05k
Investment real estate/sustainability
10/21/19 at 9:42PM UTC
Excellent solution,
Tammy Hager
star-svg
594
Admin Professional in corporate finance
09/19/19 at 1:32AM UTC
I love the different ways to not say I'm sorry when it's unnecessary... I think as women we have all been trying to say I'm sorry out of politeness but that word is so overused. Great comments!
Mindy Green
star-svg
441
On Air Beauty Expert, MUA, Hair Stylist
09/18/19 at 8:07PM UTC
I can definitely see the point in not over explaining being late. Ideally we always want to be respectful of other people’s time and acknowledge if we are late, but not dwell on it. Just say “Hey, sorry I’m late, let’s get started.” People understand that things happen. As long as this isn’t common behavior, most people will not think less of you. However, coming in late for a meeting and not apologizing and just skipping past it, can come across as arrogant or entitled. That I do think could have negative consequences long term with peers and management.

You're invited.

See what women are sharing on Fairygodboss.
What's new today
wand-button
Personalize your jobs
Get recommendations for recent and relevant jobs.
Employer Reviews
SF-Marin Food Bank
4.5
Set clear boundaries about your time to help normalize more...
Penn Medicine
3.5
You will learn a lot of great skills. Additionally, there...
Recent Content
5 Impactful Steps You Can Take to Become a Better Ally in the Workplace
Be Open Minded, Ask Questions, & Find a Company that Encourages Growth: From a Young Professional
How I’m Helping My Company ‘Move Toward a Brighter, More Equitable Future’ — From a Director
icon
© 2022 Fairygodboss. All rights reserved.
  • about
  • careers
  • FAQs
  • privacy policy
  • terms & conditions
112k
20k