From the archive

An apology without change is permission to do it again

An apology can matter. Sometimes someone really needs to hear that what happened is acknowledged, rather than being blamed on their sensitivity or bad memory. But the right words don't return the money, finish the missed work, or make a home safer. They communicate an intention. Afterward, I'd like to see what that intention does to behavior. If nothing changes, the apology starts looking like a renewal fee for access. They said the necessary lines, you opened the door again, the terms remained the same. Not a bad deal. Especially for them.