Sandra Sucher, Harvard Business School: How to Apologize

In this conversation, Sandra Sucher, a professor at Harvard Business School and expert on trust, shares her unique journey from growing up in Detroit to teaching at Harvard. She discusses the importance of apologies in repairing trust, the nuances of moral leadership, and the challenges of navigating career paths.

Through personal anecdotes and research-driven insights, Sandra emphasizes the significance of acknowledging responsibility, understanding the impact of actions, and the complexities of restoring trust in both personal and professional relationships.

Takeaways

• Apologizing is a process that requires acknowledging responsibility, explaining the "why" (without being defensive!) and making an offer of repair.
• Trust can be regained but not fully restored to its original state.
• Moral leadership involves making intentional choices and understanding consequences.
• Career challenges are common, and taking charge of your own path is essential.
• Understanding the difference between intent and impact is crucial in trust-building.
• The process of making hard choices strengthens moral character over time.
• Restoring trust is like mending a translucent vase; cracks remain visible.
  
  Chapters

00:00 The Importance of Apologies in Business

14:27 Sandra's Journey: From Detroit to Harvard

18:58 Navigating Career Transitions

24:32 Moral Leadership and Missed Opportunities

33:52 Restoring Trust: Can It Be Regained?

38:31 Legacy and Impact: A Life Well Spent

Links:
Sandra's Personal Website
Sandra Sucher - Trust Researcher

Amazon: "The Power of Trust"

Amazon.com: The Power of Trust: How Companies Build It, Lose It, Regain It: 9781541756670: Sucher, Sandra J., Gupta, Shalene: Books

Amazon: "The Moral Leader"
Amazon.com: The Moral Leader: Challenges, Tools and Insights: 9780415400640: Sucher, Sandra J.: Books

Research on Effective Apologies
An Exploration of the Structure of Effective Apologies - Lewicki - 2016 - Negotiation and Conflict Management Research - Wiley Online Library

Keywords

trust, apology, moral leadership, career challenges, Harvard, Sandra Sucher, business ethics, organizational behavior, personal growth, leadership lessons