A thought-provoking tweet from Lauren (@Elloryn) in Atlanta, Georgia, suggests replacing the words “I’m sorry” with “Thank you.” Instead of saying “Sorry I was late,” try saying “Thank you for waiting for me.” It’s a subtle change, but it powerfully shifts the focus from the offender’s feelings to those of the offended. This is part of a complete episode.
Transcript of “What to Say Instead of “I’m Sorry””
I’m still thinking about a tweet that I saw from someone named Ellerin in Atlanta, who wrote, just read something about replacing I’m sorry with thank you.
So instead of saying sorry I was late, say thank you for waiting for me. Replacing negativity with positivity and gratitude breaks the I’m sorry cycle. Powerful.
And I’ve been thinking about that tweet a lot, that it’s a really subtle change in language.
Right. You invest the other person with a bit of your true gratitude that you have for whatever reason you relate.
Yeah. Yeah. It’s about the other person rather than yourself.
Right. It also means that you don’t have to explain.
Right. That’s true.
Yeah, but it’s just a subtle change that I’m going to start doing all the times that I’m late.
Sorry about that, Grant.
I’m looking forward to hearing it. Thank you for waiting in advance.
