Diane Gottsman | Leading Etiquette Expert | Modern Manners Authority

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Office Etiquette: Handling an Uncomfortable Office Faux Pas

16 Feb 2011 By: Diane Gottsman

You accidentally send an email to a colleague regarding another colleague, making some choice unflattering remarks regarding their morning presentation. You later realize you sent the email to the wrong person – oh no, what do you do now?

It is always best to keep your personal remarks, especially negative comments, out of the professional Inbox, however the damage has now been done. Handling an uncomfortable office faux pas with grace will go miles to smoothing out the mistake.  Make a point to personally address the issue with the person you have offended by saying “I’m very sorry. I was venting and acknowledge that I should not have made those comments. I am sorry, I am wrong and I take complete responsibility for my actions. I want to fix the damage I have done – please allow me to make amends.”

Don’t expect instant forgiveness or even an immediate acceptance of your apology. Rather, use this uncomfortable situation as a lesson learned and do everything in your power to fix the damaged relationship.

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Diane Gottsman

Diane Gottsman is a national etiquette expert and modern manners professional, sought out industry leader, television personality, accomplished speaker, Huffington Post blogger, author, and the owner of The Protocol School of Texas, a company specializing in executive leadership and etiquette training. Diane is routinely quoted in national and international media including The New York Times, The BBC, CNN, Bloomberg Business Week, Kiplinger, Huffington Post Canada, U.S. News and World Report, and Forbes. She is the resident etiquette expert for two popular morning talk shows, SA Living and Good Day Austin. She has been seen on The TODAY Show, HLN Headline News, WGN Chicago, and CBS Sunday Morning. Her clients range from university students to Fortune 500 companies and her workshops cover topics ranging from tattoos in the workplace to technology at the dinner table and the proper use of social media.