Hi there

Literally all of us make mistakes. So why do we so often struggle to apologise when we screw up?

Everyone from Kanye West to the BBC has been finding it difficult to make amends for their gaffes lately. But it's not just people in the public eye. Sorry seems to be the hardest word at work, too. So in this issue, we tackle the perennially tricky topic of how to apologise well.

You'll also discover how to nail those essential documents that guide how everyone in your workplace does their jobs. Plus, scroll down for the chance to influence our upcoming series of free webinars and to learn how to use storytelling to highlight your value by joining the first session.

All the best

Catie, Chief Word Wrangler

In focus: finding the right words

The sorry state of celebrity apologies - and how to do it better

6-minute read

Apologies have been back in the news for (as usual) all the wrong reasons. So what does it take to say 'sorry' the right way? The answer's simpler than you think. 

Policies, procedures and work instructions - oh my

7-minute read

They may not be the most glamorous documents in a business, but they're there when it matters. So if yours aren't quite there yet, make this your next read. 

Join the free webinar

Highlight your value through the power of storytelling

In the first webinar of our new series, two of our experts will show you how to tap into the power of narrative to highlight the value you bring to your work.

Simply saying what we do often falls flat. Storytelling avoids that problem by making the vital connection to other people's brains, so finally they get it.

Join published authors and communication specialists Rosie Walker and Gary Woodward to explore: 

✔️ the elements and structures you can use to create stories that persuade people to take action

✔️ ways to evoke the all-important story-listening effect even in a short chat 

✔️ how to present and frame data to strengthen your story's message

... and more. This fun, intensive 60-minute session is on Tuesday 24 March at 11am. Sign up below (and make sure you're sitting comfortably).

Our pick of the archive

Resources you may have missed

Even the most well-managed inbox can't catch everything. So here are three popular articles you may have missed the first time. Discover a simple planning solution, the key to distanced networking and an effective way to define and share your brand voice.

The easy way to unlock all the info in your mind

Mind maps might be the Marmite of planning, but they can be incredibly powerful when used well.

Networking from the safety of your screen

Hate networking? Join the club (or not - you'll hate that too). Then try these emails instead.

Create ToV guidelines staff will actually use

Been putting off defining a brand voice? Take this as a sign - and your actionable how-to guide.

Have your say (and help shape our agenda)

Whatever is going wrong (or right) in an organisation, communication is usually a big part of the picture.

For a 'soft' skill, communication packs a punch. It affects everything from whether a multi-million pound project succeeds to how we feel opening Teams or our inbox.

And we want to know exactly where the biggest communication problems lie in organisations like yours.

So we've put together a short survey to get some answers - and these insights will guide the webinars and resources we'll create. The guides and sessions need to tackle the challenges that matter most to you.

This short survey will be a lot more productive than sitting through another meeting that could have been a (short, well-written) email.

Become a better communicator in 3 minutes. 

Lively, uncommon advice on communication, from world experts straight to your inbox.