When Should a Leader Apologize - and When Not?

Making personal apologies is increasingly a natural step, even in the world of business, so prompt in seeing this as a proof of weakness. But what is a public apology made by a business leader on behalf of his or her organization? Isn’t it a risky endeavour that could backfire for the company? Barbara Kellerman cites many examples to demonstrate the benefits of apologizing, taken not only from the business world, but also from history and political and medical circles. Above and beyond the moral issues, companies have every interest in making apologies when necessary. But they must be very careful to learn to do this properly, because awkward apologies may also easily play against them.