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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.
LEANNE TOBIAS
Investment real estate/sustainability
4.05k
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 GlaeserCo-founder of brightmeetsbrave.com
950
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
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 TOBIASInvestment real estate/sustainability
4.05k
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]Long term project and implementation manager
53
09/19/19 at 1:43PM UTC
Point taken.
Amylithback in college, grown kids, no obstacles.
198
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]Long term project and implementation manager
53
09/19/19 at 12:41PM UTC
The I'm sorry jar is an excellent idea. I may steal it.
Carrie TopolskiEmpowering women and beyond!
2.34k
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 MosesConsumer Insights and Strategy Leader
1.31k
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 TOBIASInvestment real estate/sustainability
4.05k
10/21/19 at 9:42PM UTC
Excellent solution,
Tammy Hager Admin Professional in corporate finance
594
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 GreenOn Air Beauty Expert, MUA, Hair Stylist
441
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.
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