How I Work Quick Win: What leaders get wrong about saying sorry with Clare Stephens
7 snips
Dec 7, 2025 Clare Stephens, former Editor-in-Chief at Mamamia and a keen observer of online culture, dives into the art of apologies in leadership. She discusses the fear leaders have of saying the wrong thing and how it affects their decision-making. Clare emphasizes that the best apologies are brief and sincere, steering clear of over-explanation. She also explores creating a culture where mistakes are embraced with grace rather than blame, alongside the importance of honest communication and psychological safety in the workplace.
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Fear Of Saying The Wrong Thing
- Amantha Imber describes rehearsing statements before staff meetings out of fear of saying the wrong thing.
- Clare Stephens experienced similar fear while editor-in-chief and learned to accept mistakes.
Create A Graceful Mistake Culture
- Foster a culture where people can try things and admit mistakes without being shamed.
- Give autonomy and grace so people learn from missteps and will extend you the same grace.
Pragmatism Trumps Idealism
- Pragmatism matters more than idealism when leaders juggle many invisible constraints.
- People who haven't carried responsibility often underestimate how hard choices are.
