The 5 'A's of Apology

Acknowledge- you have made a mistake

Admit- to the parties involved your mistake

Apologize- to the parties involved that you regret making the mistake

Amends- should be made and the mistake corrected

Avoid- making the same mistake again

Example: you drop a plate and it shatters into a million pieces.If you simply say you're sorry, does that help put the plate back together.

But if you admit you broke the plate, apologize for it, buy another plate and take care not to break it, things are better.