Best & Worst Apologies

Why:

The art of good apologies is a crucial skill to repair relationships.

Warm-Up:

What is a time when you thought something was going to be way worse than it actually was? Facilitator models a vulnerable answer first.

Exploration:

Apologies seem basic and obvious. But we all know there's a big difference between one that feels good and helps repair a relationship, and one that feels forced or insincere. Can you think of a situation when you wished you could have received (or given) a truly great apology? What happened? And if you could go back and do it perfectly, what would have been the ideal apology? See the template or video in the link for definitions, or see if the group can create its own "gold standard" definition.

Additional Resources:

Argonaut Apology Olympics Template

“This Isn’t an Apology…” — short video on apologies. This one may be a little complex for younger students, please watch first.