Keller @ Large: Why Apologies Work

BOSTON (CBS) - Before I begin, let me just say: if I've ever offended you with something I've said, or misrepresented something someone else said, I apologize. While I do like to stir the pot, offending and misrepresenting are two things I never set out to do, and for my failures in that regard, I am sincerely sorry.

That felt good. And it wasn't that hard.

As you know if you've ever sincerely apologized for something, it usually works wonders on the recipient of the apology, and can mitigate – if not eradicate – a multitude of sins.

Don't believe me?

Then surely you'll be more impressed with the example set by Taylor Swift, America's it-girl, who was upset when another singer she thought was her friend, Nicki Minaj, tweeted something Swift took as criticism of her success. She responded with a critical tweet, but when she learned she had misunderstood what Minaj meant, she tweeted out an apology, to which her friend responded: "that means so much, thank you."

In a more serious vein, top executives of a Japanese mining company recently apologized to American POWs for the forced labor they inflicted on them 70 years ago, an act that deeply moved one of the surviving Americans, who said the words of apology "really touch you at the heart."

We've just seen in recent days how people who lack class, like Donald Trump, refuse to apologize when they blunder hurtfully. This is telling, and gives you the voter a helpful way to sort out the wheat from the chaff throughout this campaign.

Everyone makes mistakes. Those capable of apologizing are likely the ones most capable of learning from them, and avoiding them in the future.

Those who cannot?

To be avoided, I'm sorry to say.

Listen to Jon's commentary:

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