>> Why We Have This Emotion
Embarrassment signals to us that we slipped up. It prompts us to make quick repairs with apologies, some light humor, or temporarily stepping back for a moment.
◎ What to do in the moment
Good Ideas
- Be gentle with yourself
- Make a quick acknowledgement
- Label the moment in one sentence
- Reframe it as a human moment
- Apologize for any wrong-doing
- Use light humor to own small gaffes
- Simply move on
Bad Ideas
- Refuse to acknowledge your error
- Erase it with a risky grand gesture
- Fish for reassurance from others
- Overexplain or justify your action
- Harsh self-talk for your gaffe
- Make a dramatic exit
- Avoid anyone who noticed afterward