Mea Culpa

I was hot, hungry, and exhausted, AND none of those factors excused my behavior.

Two weeks ago, I was on board a flight from Kansas City to New York City. By the time I boarded, I had already experienced a long day. I had exercised early, completed a few hours of work, visited with an elderly aunt, all before undertaking a several hours-long drive. I arrived at the airport terminal with time to spare, but discovered that once I passed through security, I was ensconced in an area with neither food nor bathroom access—not impossible burdens until my flight was delayed. When the plane eventually did take off, I felt happy as a clam . . . until a flight attendant instructed me to be seated rather than stand in the galley while waiting for access to the plane’s lavatory.

I took my seat. A few moments later, the flight attendant approached me and began to offer an explanation. When she spoke, I raised my hand as if to say, “Enough.” I didn't want to hear what she was about to say. I just wanted to return home. “You won’t even allow me to explain,” she asked while I stared at my book. I shook my head “no,” and we continued eastward.

Immediately, I knew I had behaved badly. The flight attendant had merely followed airline restrictions, which seek to keep passengers from filling the aisles and galley-ways. She had done nothing wrong. My behavior had been completely inappropriate.

Before the flight ended, I made a point of apologizing to the flight attendant. “I’m sorry. I owe you an apology. My behavior was completely inappropriate,” I said. She was kind enough to reply that she completely understood how I felt and how easily today’s travellers become frustrated.

Once you start work, inevitably the day will roll around when you will fail to show your best self. As an intern, summer associate or new hire, if you’ve behaved badly, remember the following:

1. The first words out of your mouth should be “I’m sorry.”
2. Make your apology sooner rather than later. The passage of time affects its credibility and effectiveness.
3. Drop the excuses. Take responsibility for your actions.
4. Make amends. Do whatever you can to make things right.

Keep your apologies genuine, sincere, and to the point. Then, move on. Apologizing over and over again will only make things worse.
 
    
 
 

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