There are times that we have to miss important meetings because of emergencies beyond our control. While it is perfectly understandable to miss these meetings due to these circumstances, it can be pretty embarrassing to know that you could not make your engagement.
So, how can you apologise for missing your meetings? Here are some tips for you to consider when you wish to apologise:
1. Reach Out To The Other Party To Apologise As Soon As You Can
While waiting to apologise can be a good strategy to reduce the tensions between you and the other party, delaying it for a long time can affect your relationship. As soon as you can, send your apologies.
2. Do Not Mention Any “Buts” Or Excuses When You Reach Out
To make your apologies more professional, keep your apology brief and free from any excuses and the word “but.” Don’t give any excuses and hold yourself accountable for missing the meeting. It would help if you showed that you want to make things right with the other party again. If you do want to give your reason, make it very brief and not be the entire focus of your apology.
3. Empathise With Their Situation
While speaking to the other party and apologising to them, let them know that you understand their situation and you can identify with their feelings. Assure them that you didn’t mean to miss your meeting and hurt their feelings. You can also show them that you are contrite for missing the meeting and feel embarrassed or ashamed for missing it.
4. Do Not Blame Others
If someone caused the emergency, for example, your boss or your family member, do not mention it to the person and blame them for missing your meeting. Just tell the other party that you had met some delays back at work. The key is to keep the apology short and not appear as someone who pushes the blame on others.
5. Leave Your Emotions Out Of Your Apology
If you plan to apologise through an email, make sure you do not include your emotions in the content and keep it respectful. Even if the other party is a person you do not like, you need to be professional and expect it to be recognised to secure a reschedule for the missed meeting.
6. Repair The Damage
You should do your best to repair any damage your action may have caused the other party. For missed meetings, be sincere and offer a compromise. You can promise that you will be at the next meeting and, in the meantime, send an apology gift like a gift card or food.
Conclusion
If you missed a meeting for whatever reason, you should acknowledge it so the other party affected by your action will accept your apology.
Failing to apologise will cause them to lose their trust in you and may consider another employee to work with as it is disrespectful of others’ time since they made an effort to attend the meeting. Make sure to make an effort to apologise and attend the rescheduled meeting when it is rescheduled.
If you do make it to the meeting, here are some ways to make it productive: Meeting Hacks that will make you look Great! Tired of Zoom Meetings Try These Solutions Instead 7 Tips for Making Your Video Meetings Effective
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