Smart people know the value of a real apology

Is your ego driving a wedge between you and the people around you?

Think back to the last big argument you had with someone.

Now answer these questions:

• Who apologised first?
• Did you apologise at all?
• How did that make you feel?
• Did the fight end at the apology? Or did you want to argue more?

I really don’t like being wrong and I hate losing. These two things made me a complete asshole when I was younger - some would argue I’m still an asshole. I would fight with someone just to win and I would relish in the victory and in the other person’s loss.

People around me must have hated engaging with me on any level. I didn’t just want to win, I wanted someone else to lose and most of the time it was my partner who had to put up with my shitty attitude towards apologising and arguing in general. My businesses suffered, my relationships suffered and I suffered because I was too weak to apologise and my ego was to big to admit any wrongdoing. Yes, I think it’s a sign of weakness to be unable to sincerely apologise.

It has taken me a long time, many fights, many businesses and a strong partner to learn that apologising isn’t a…