A Thread

If you’re someone that says “I’m sorry” a lot. This thread is for you

You may think apologizing all the time shows respect or care

But it actually making you appear less confident when overused

Here are some alternatives to the word “sorry”

1/ Demonstrate Empathy Not Sympathy

Example: someone gets stuck in traffic and is late for something important

Don’t say: “I’m sorry you were stuck in that awful traffic”

Say: “How frustrating you were stuck in that awful traffic”

2/ Eliminate Sorry As A Filler Word

Some people use sorry similarly to work such as “um”, or “like”

Don’t say: “We need to … sorry … first, get the correct data from Finance.”

Say: “We need to < Pause | Silence >, first, get the correct data from Finance.

3/ Don’t Apologize For Interrupting

If you have input do not ever apologize for trying to get it in there

Don’t say: “I’m sorry to interrupt …”

Say: “Let me say/ask this…” OR “Great points, I would like to add…”

4/ Don’t Use Sorry To Keep The Peace

Sorry is usually used as a means of softening the blow when disagreeing

Don’t say: I’m sorry, but I don’t understand this strategy switch.”

Say: “I appreciate your work on this, but I don’t understand this strategy switch.”

5/ Why Are You Sorry?
There are some situations where the word sorry is appropriate

What is inappropriate is not stating exactly why you’re sorry

This way you will be able to see how necessary or unnecessary it is to apologize in that situation

Regain power! Enough Sorry!