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308 points matheusml | 2 comments | 22 Aug 25 12:50 UTC | HN request time: 0.431s | source

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I have lived a life where I have to constantly be taking personal inventory, and when wrong, promptly admit it.

I think that helped make me a decent manager. At least, my employees seemed to think so.

But I could be wrong.

replies(1): >>44984672 #

1. BubbleRings ◴[22 Aug 25 13:48 UTC] No.44984672[source]▶

I’d rate this comment a “10”, ha. Good stuff, I’m with you on that road.

I especially like OP’s point #1. “I know I did x, sorry about that” is so much more powerful than “Sorry you let yourself get upset that I did x”.

replies(1): >>44984707 #

"I'm sorry you feel that way." is also another non-apology.

Another important aspect is the context. A lot of people are good at public excoriation, and private apology.

If I show my ass in front of a bunch of people, the apology is not an apology, unless it's made in front of the same people.

All managers make mistakes; good managers acknowledge and repair