Wednesday, August 24, 2016

Powerful Words, "I'm Sorry..."

When you realize the words you’ve spoken are hurtful or upsetting, how do you respond? Stop, back off, think it through, then re-approach and start with “I’m sorry”. The most powerful way to engage is to recognize when you’ve made a mistake and acknowledge it.
  • I’m sorry. I was trying to help.
  • I’m sorry I made you angry.
  • I’m sorry. You’re right. I had no right to treat you like a child.
  • I’m sorry that happened. That shouldn’t have happened. Let me see what I can do.
  • I’m sorry. This is hard. I hate it for you.
-- January 2016, The Voice of Dementia e-newsletter, Teepa Snow