The document outlines 5 steps to an effective public apology: 1) Acknowledge wrongdoing, 2) Express genuine remorse, 3) Promise not to repeat the behavior, 4) Offer restitution, and 5) Ask for forgiveness. It provides examples from public figures like Barack Obama, Toyota's CEO, and Rupert Murdoch to illustrate each step.

1. Steps to an Effective Public Apology 5

2. Step 1: Acknowledgement of Wrongdoing

3. I Was Wrong http://www.flickr.com/photos/gwire/99668067/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/emsef/254378239/

4. “ I’m here on television saying I screwed up and that’s part of the era of responsibility.” Barack Obama

5. Step 2: Expression of Genuine Remorse

6. I’m Sorry

7. Toyota CEO, Akio Toyoda “ I feel deeply sorry for those people who lost their lives or who were injured by traffic accidents, especially those in our own cars. I extend my sincerest condolences to them, from the bottom of my heart.”

8. Ex-Citigroup CEO, Charles Prince "I can only say that I am deeply sorry that our management – starting with me – was not more prescient, and that we did not foresee what lay before us."

9. Step 3: Promise Not To Do It Again

10. I promise... http://www.flickr.com/photos/moreinterpretations/3483821656/in/photostream/

11. “ We all hold the readers of The New York Post in high regard and I promise you that we will seek to be more attuned to the sensitivities of our community.” Rupert Murdoch

12. Step 4: Restitution

14. “ Once again, I offer my deepest apologies to everyone. And I will redeem myself. I have to.” Michael Vick

15. Step 5: Asking for Forgiveness

16. Please, Forgive me…

17. “ What I did is unacceptable, 100%. I can only ask and pray that you forgive me, please.” Chris Brown

18. Oxana Trush [email_address]