We Brits are brilliant at apologising, and often for things that aren’t even our fault. You bump into a chair? Sorry. Take up a bit too much space on a crowded train? Sorry again. Our obsession with saying “sorry” might feel polite, but it can also chip away at how confident or assertive we seem. The good news? Swapping out “sorry” for something a bit more meaningful can completely change how others see you and how you see yourself.
“Thank you for waiting.”
Do you often find yourself running a bit late or taking longer than planned? Instead of saying, “Sorry I’m late,” just flip the script with, “Thank you for waiting.” This tiny tweak instantly sounds more upbeat and grateful. It also helps you acknowledge their time without dragging yourself into an apology spiral and also makes you seem cool, calm, and appreciative.
However, if you’re running considerably late and leaving someone waiting for a long period, then an actual apology is probably due.
“I appreciate your understanding.”
Sometimes you need a little leeway, such as moving a deadline, rescheduling plans, or asking for patience. Rather than apologising endlessly that you need extra time, let the other person know you appreciate their understanding. This phrase is warm, polite, and shows confidence, making it much more substantial than a half-hearted apology.
“Let’s get started.”
There’s a weird urge to apologise at the start of meetings, especially if you’re late or unsure where to begin. Instead of nervously blurting out, “Sorry for the delay,” you should just take charge by saying, “Let’s get started.” It’s much more assertive and breezy, helping you to move things along more quickly without faffing about.
“That’s a great point.”
Ever had someone point out something you missed or didn’t consider? When this happens, your first instinct might be to apologise, but you should hold your horses. Instead, acknowledge their contribution with, “That’s a great point.” It keeps the conversation constructive and makes you sound more engaged and open-minded.
“I’ll make sure to follow up.”
Every now and then, we all forget a certain detail or miss something important, but it’s not always as big a deal as it has to be, and it doesn’t always need an apology. Skip the “sorry” and instead say, “I’ll make sure to follow up.” It sounds proactive and responsible, which is way better than wallowing in what went wrong.
Usually, people are much more impressed by solutions as they actually want to move issues forward, which apologies rarely ever do.
“I appreciate your feedback.”
Criticism can feel awkward, and sometimes so awkward that we often mumble a quick, defensive “sorry.” If you want to appear more sure of yourself, then thank them with, “I appreciate your feedback.” This simple change shows you have maturity and confidence and turns a potentially negative moment into something much more positive, creating a stress-free environment.
“Let’s look for a solution.”
We’re all bound to have stressful moments, like problems at work, which often trigger over-apologising. The thing is, “sorry” doesn’t fix that much, so instead, refocus the conversation with, “Let’s look for a solution.” This keeps things moving forward and shows you’re a leader who’s focused on progress, and people will love that about you.
“Thanks for catching that.”
Being human means that errors are bound to crop up, so when someone notices that you’ve done something wrong, your first instinct might be to grovel, but what you should actually do is say, “Thanks for catching that.” This phrase is quick, positive, and lets you acknowledge their effort without getting self-critical.
It’ll also build rapport and keep the tone constructive, which is what you need in professional environments.
“That’s not a problem.”
It’s normal for one apology to spark another; after all, we’re British, but if someone says sorry to you, try not to join the apology party. Don’t mutter things like, “No worries, sorry too,” reassure them with, “That’s not a problem.” It keeps things light, calm, and positive while still putting other people at ease.
“I’ll take care of it.”
When something hasn’t gone to plan, apologising always feels instinctive, especially when it’s our fault. Try to avoid focusing on the mishap and apologising too much, as this doesn’t seem productive. What you can say to get things moving is, “I’ll take care of it.” It’s reliable, action-focused, and shows you’ve got everything under control.
“I see where you’re coming from.”
Of course, sometimes disagreements can feel a bit tense, which then makes you want to soften things with an apology. Resist that urge and say, “I see where you’re coming from.” It’s respectful, keeps your confidence intact, and leaves room for a healthy, constructive discussion to get things resolved in an instant.
“Let’s figure this out together.”
When collaboration is involved, and you’re responsible for a mistake, the easy way out is usually to apologise, as you think this is what the other person wants to hear. Saying something along the lines of, “Let’s figure this out together”, shifts the focus to teamwork and problem-solving rather than playing the blame game.
“Thanks for bringing this to my attention.”
If someone flags something you’ve missed, don’t get defensive or dive into apologies. You need to show appreciation by saying, “Thanks for bringing this to my attention.” It’s more approachable and positive, showing you value their input and making you someone they really enjoy working with.
“I’ll be mindful of that next time.”
If someone points out a minor issue, apologising can make it feel bigger than it is, so sometimes it’s best to avoid doing this. You can still acknowledge their comment by saying, “I’ll be mindful of that next time.” Something along the lines of this shows accountability while also revealing you’re able to move forward without dwelling.
“I hear what you’re saying.”
When they get too much, disagreements can make you want to backtrack, soften tension, or apologise simply just to keep the peace. But rather than saying sorry, acknowledge their perspective with, “I hear what you’re saying.” It’s respectful, keeps things balanced, and allows the conversation to move in a healthy way.
“Let’s keep going.”
Small hiccups, like tech issues or minor delays, can grind things to a halt, but apologising only slows you down further, and don’t forget, these things aren’t your fault. Instead, refocus the group with, “Let’s keep going.” This phrase is positive, assertive, and shows you’re all about progress rather than getting stuck on the little things.