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The Art Of The Apology

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« To learn more about apologies, join me on The Today Show! | Home | Don’t play games with overtime pay »

Kanye West, Serena Williams, Joe Wilson and the Today Show

By Lauren | September 16, 2009

It’s certainly been a week for high-profile apologies. Tennis superstar Serena Williams eventually apologized for the tantrum she threw at a recent match. With a little help from Jay Leno, tough guy rapper Kanye West apologized to country teen star Taylor Swift for blowing her moment at the MTV Video Music Awards. And then there’s Congressman Joe Wilson, who was censured yesterday by the House of Representatives for failing to apologize to his colleagues for breaching House protocol when he shouted “You lie!” during President Obama’s address to Congress on health care reform.

Maybe it has something to do with last names beginning with “W” … just kidding.

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of appearing on The Today Show with psychotherapist Robi Ludwig to talk with Hoda Kotb and Kathie Lee Gifford about how difficult it can be for people to apologize. We only had a few minutes, but were able to touch on many of the most important elements of an apology. To be effective, an apology has to be sincere, not just an exercise in spin control. The person apologizing has to take responsibility for her actions, and avoid the dreaded “if I offended you, then I apologize” gambit. As Robi correctly observed, an apology shouldn’t be manipulative. Explanations for bad actions are okay, but excuses are not. And, of course, it’s important for the person who makes an apology to do better next time.

And yes, for those of you who’ve wondered, Hoda and Kathie Lee really are every bit as nice in person as they seem on TV.

To watch the segment, go to http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/26184891/vp/32858119#32858119.

Topics: Apologies, Lauren Recommends |

One Response to “Kanye West, Serena Williams, Joe Wilson and the Today Show”

1. Dodgeblogium » CoTV Falling into Autumn Says:
   September 24th, 2009 at 2:20 am

   [...] presents Kanye West, Serena Williams, Joe Wilson and the Today Show posted at The Business Ethics Blog, saying, “These high-profile personalities have had a lot [...]

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