Here are four ways in which you are apologizing wrong

Here are fur ways in which you are apologizing wrongHere are four ways in which you are apologizing wrongApologies are something we love to receive and hate to give. And especially as a leader, they are tough.They require a great deal of humility, which challenges your pride and ego. They are an open admission of failure and wrongdoing, but when delivered with sincerity, they hold power with your team.Unfortunately, too many leaders give superficial apologies loaded with excuses and blame. Apologizing for the sake of apologizing is an ingenuine insult to those wronged. If you want to be taken seriously in your company, its important to know why an apology is necessary and to deliver it in a way thats heartfelt and honest.Here are four ways you are apologizing wrong, and how to make sure you dont make these mistakes in your next, Im sorry.1. leid Owning the MistakePlacing blame or trying to justify your actions will diminish the power of your apology and hurt your credibility. Using e xcuses to justify your actions or shortcomings will only intensify the feelings of rejection, animosity, anger, and pain. Simply own your mistake. Acknowledge what you should have done differently and commit to making a change in the future.2. Not Carefully Considering Your WordsBefore rushing into an apology, consider how the receiver will interpret what youre saying and how you say it. What we say when admitting a mistake can affect the trust we establish in the relationship moving forward. If we dont consider our words carefully, we can add insult to injury and further jeopardize our connection.3. Leaving Out the SpecificsKnow what you are apologizing for before you do. Dont rush to apologize without all the facts. The person affected needs to know what you are apologizing for. It allows you to elaborate on the reason and acknowledge greater ownership.4. Making it ImpersonalThe method of apology is as important as the message itself. Recognize when a mistake requires a face-to-fa ce admission and dont rely on technology to do your heavy lifting. Look them in the eye and apologize. If face-to-face interactions arent possible, pick up the phone. Let the offending person hear your voice and acknowledge your sincerity. Just dont hide behind the screen.- - - All of us make mistakes. Acknowledging those mistakes while taking ownership demonstrates responsibility and maturity as a leader. Apologies allow us to build stronger, more trustworthy relationships with those around us. They also help us grow as professionals and in our roles as leaders. Owning our mistakes provides a great example for our team to do the same.Stacey Hanke is the founder and communication expert of Stacey Hanke Inc. and the author of Influence Redefined Be the Leader You Were Meant to Be, Monday to Monday and Yes You Can Everything You Need From A to Z to Influence Others to Take Action.