A public apology is not about forgiveness.
I’m a senior public relations advisor who has advised several brands in peril. This article will give you an overview of different types of public apologies and explore why a public apology has little to do with absolution.
Here we go:
The Public Apology
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The Public Apology
A public apology is, by nature, an ambiguous statement; it ranges from submissive remorse to a chevalier’s trope of humbly expressing that the outcome was all that one could muster — despite best efforts.
“Public apologies function as ritualistic public punishment and humiliation, rather than forgiveness, to enforce ethical standards for public speech.”
Source: Rhetoric Society Quarterly 1Ellwanger, A. (2012). Apology as Metanoic Performance: Punitive Rhetoric and Public Speech. Rhetoric Society Quarterly, 42, 307 — 329. https://doi.org/10.1080/02773945.2012.704118
Anatomy of an Apology
The audience will not consider anyone’s public apology until they understand why someone did what they did and how they feel about doing it. This ambiguity is why saying, “I apologise” is never enough — you must also express regret and explain yourself.
Types of Public Apologies
There are several different types of apologies to avoid. Unfortunately, as far as public apologies go, these types of public apologies are widely used — often with devastating PR consequences.
From a PR perspective, I recommend only one type of apology:
Moving Into the Next Stage
Apart from an honest delivery, this is what a wrongdoer must understand about the strategic use of a public apology as a strategic tool:
Public apologies are not a method of obtaining absolution or mitigating the loss of public trust. Forgiveness and trust must be earned separately and in the long term.
A public apology is a tool to allow the media narrative to move into the next stage sooner rather than later — whatever that stage might hold in store for the wrongdoer.
Learn more: The Public Apology
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Media Spokesperson Training
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Media Spokesperson Training
I love coaching media spokespeople. Here’s how to approach your very first media training as a media trainer yourself:
Learn more: Media Spokesperson Training: Get Your Message Across
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Classic Media Training Advice
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Classic Media Training Advice
Speaking with a reporter while adhering to best practices in media training is straightforward in theory but difficult in real-life situations.
Here is some classic media training advice:
Learn more: Classic Media Training Advice
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Classic Media Training Mistakes
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Classic Media Training Mistakes
Standing before a camera or a microphone can be stressful, especially during a crisis. Therefore, many leaders, politicians, and communication professionals invest in professional media training.
However, media training can be taken too far.
Answers Without Substance
Exaggerating the Bridge Technique
Parrotting Your Key Message
Staring Down the Reporter
Relying on Non-Apologies
Using Platitudes and Jargon
Transposing Human Emotions
Learn more: Classic Media Training Mistakes
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PR Resource: PR and Stoicism
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PR and Stoicism
I’m inspired by Stoicism — and intrigued by the idea of translating classical Stoic virtues (wisdom, courage, justice, temperance) and applying them to public relations:
The Wisdom Pitch
“A Stoic is someone who transforms fear into prudence, pain into transformation, mistakes into initiation, and desires into undertaking.”
— Nassim Nicholas Taleb
Tell PR stories of how organisations can be wise and overcome obstacles that have stopped others in their tracks. Convey PR messages on how to apply wisdom, knowledge, and experience.
The Courage Pitch
“We cannot choose our circumstances, but we can always choose how we respond to them.”
— Epictetus
Tell PR stories of brands that never back down in the face of hardships that would destroy other organisations. Convey PR messages of how an organisation can be righteous even when storms are raging.
The Justice Pitch
“Concentrate every minute on doing what’s in front of you with precise and genuine seriousness, tenderly, willingly, with justice.”
— Marcus Aurelius
Tell PR stories of how organisations relentlessly can strive for honesty and transparency — even when uncomfortable. Convey PR messages about how all brands, without exception, can rid themselves of dishonesty and incompetence.
The Temperance Pitch
“It’s not the man who has too little, but the man who craves more, who is poor.”
— Seneca
Tell PR stories of organisations that strive for higher values in a world where all other organisations suffer shortsightedness. Convey PR messages of organisations prepared to abstain from short-term gains to make the world better for all.
Learn more: Stoic Philosophy for PR Professionals
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PR Resource: The High Road Tonality
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The High Road Tonality
An organisation is the polyphonic sum of all its coworkers. Imagine taking the most mature traits from each coworker and combining them into one voice — the High Road Tonality.
Learn more: The High Road Tonality: Don’t Be Pushed Around
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ANNOTATIONS
1 | Ellwanger, A. (2012). Apology as Metanoic Performance: Punitive Rhetoric and Public Speech. Rhetoric Society Quarterly, 42, 307 — 329. https://doi.org/10.1080/02773945.2012.704118 |
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2 | Silfwer, J. (2024, May 2). The Core Message. Doctor Spin | The PR Blog. https://doctorspin.net/core-message/ |
3, 7 | Silfwer, J. (2022, June 28). Media Spokesperson Training: Get Your Message Across. Doctor Spin | The PR Blog. https://doctorspin.net/media-spokesperson/ |
4, 10 | Silfwer, J. (2015, October 9). The Platitude Sickness: The Trash of Corporate Writing. Doctor Spin | The PR Blog. https://doctorspin.net/platitude-sickness/ |
5, 9 | Silfwer, J. (2020, July 26). When a Public Apology is Warranted (And When It’s Not). Doctor Spin | The PR Blog. https://doctorspin.net/public-apology/ |
6, 8 | Silfwer, J. (2020, May 23). Corporate Cringe. Doctor Spin | The PR Blog. https://doctorspin.net/corporate-cringe/ |