Ever caught yourself rehearsing what to say at work - terrified one wrong phrase could spark backlash? 

In this Quick Win, I speak with Clare Stephens, former Editor-in-Chief at Mamamia, about the fear of getting it wrong, how to handle mistakes, and why the most powerful apology is often the simplest one. 

Clare learnt the hard way that over-explaining a mistake can make things worse. After facing public criticism early in her career, she reframed her approach to errors – both online and in leadership. Her advice? Keep apologies short, unreserved, and genuine. Then move on. 

Clare and I discuss: 
Why leaders fear saying the wrong thing in today’s workplace 
How to create a culture where mistakes are met with grace, not blame 
The fine line between accountability and people-pleasing 
Why long, detailed apologies rarely work 
The simple framework for owning mistakes and moving forward 

 

KEY QUOTES 

“The best apology is short and unreserved. There’s no excuses. Just, ‘I’m apologising,’ and then you move on.” 

“You’re actually a worse leader if you can’t be direct.” 

Connect with Clare Stephens on Instagram,LinkedIn and check out her latest book The Worst Thing I’ve Ever Donehere. 

Listen to the full conversation with Clare here. 

 

My latest book The Health Habit is out now. You can order a copy here: https://www.amantha.com/the-health-habit/ 

Connect with me on the socials: 

Linkedin (https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanthaimber) 
Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/amanthai) 

If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work and live, I write a weekly newsletter where I share practical and simple to apply tips to improve your life. You can sign up for that at https://amantha-imber.ck.page/subscribe 

Visit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. 

Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au 

 

Credits: 
Host: Amantha Imber 
Sound Engineer: The Podcast Butler 

Ever caught yourself rehearsing what to say at work - terrified one wrong phrase could spark backlash?&nbsp;
In this Quick Win, I speak with Clare Stephens, former Editor-in-Chief at Mamamia, about the fear of getting it wrong, how to handle mistakes, and why the most powerful apology is often the simplest one.&nbsp;
Clare learnt the hard way that over-explaining a mistake can make things worse. After facing public criticism early in her career, she reframed her approach to errors &ndash; both online and in leadership. Her advice? Keep apologies short, unreserved, and genuine. Then move on.&nbsp;
Clare and I discuss:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="2" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1">Why leaders fear saying the wrong thing in today&rsquo;s workplace&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="2" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="2" data-aria-level="1">How to create a culture where mistakes are met with grace, not blame&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="2" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="3" data-aria-level="1">The fine line between accountability and people-pleasing&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="2" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="4" data-aria-level="1">Why long, detailed apologies rarely work&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="2" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="5" data-aria-level="1">The simple framework for owning mistakes and moving forward&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
KEY QUOTES&nbsp;
&ldquo;The best apology is short and unreserved. There&rsquo;s no excuses. Just, &lsquo;I&rsquo;m apologising,&rsquo; and then you move on.&rdquo;&nbsp;
&ldquo;You&rsquo;re actually a worse leader if you can&rsquo;t be direct.&rdquo;&nbsp;
Connect with Clare Stephens on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/clare.stephenss/?hl=en">Instagram,</a> <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/clare-stephens/">LinkedIn</a> and check out her latest book The Worst Thing I&rsquo;ve Ever Done <a href="https://www.booktopia.com.au/the-worst-thing-i-ve-ever-done-clare-stephens/book/9781922928030.html?srsltid=AfmBOop1F2IztiTE7rARJrLajWN9Q9yXdpUXDmDDzMWzOczxDBsgW2rR&amp;irclickid=04zTej1lLxycRECXXxRWp2P6UksXsr2bTxUV0U0&amp;utm_campaign=Clare%20Stephens%20Writer&amp;utm_medium=affiliate&amp;utm_source=Impact&amp;bk_source=6280588&amp;bk_source_id=6280588&amp;irgwc=1">here</a>.&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.amantha.com/podcasts/how-to-lead-when-youre-scared-of-saying-the-wrong-thing">Listen to the full conversation with Clare here.</a>&nbsp;
&nbsp;
My latest book The Health Habit is out now. You can order a copy here: <a href="https://www.amantha.com/the-health-habit/">https://www.amantha.com/the-health-habit/</a>&nbsp;
Connect with me on the socials:&nbsp;
Linkedin (<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanthaimber">https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanthaimber</a>)&nbsp; Instagram (<a href="https://www.instagram.com/amanthai">https://www.instagram.com/amanthai</a>)&nbsp;
If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work and live, I write a weekly newsletter where I share practical and simple to apply tips to improve your life. You can sign up for that at <a href="https://amantha-imber.ck.page/subscribe">https://amantha-imber.ck.page/subscribe</a>&nbsp;
Visit <a href="https://www.amantha.com/podcast">https://www.amantha.com/podcast</a> for full show notes from all episodes.&nbsp;
Get in touch at <a href="mailto:amantha@inventium.com.au">amantha@inventium.com.au</a>&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Credits:&nbsp; Host: Amantha Imber&nbsp; Sound Engineer: The Podcast Butler&nbsp;

You know those annoyingly successful people who seem to have it all figured out? Time to steal their playbook. Organisational psychologist Dr Amantha Imber gets world‑class achievers to spill their secrets - the daily strategies behind their success through to life hacks and productivity hacks they’d rather keep to themselves. We’re talking practical tips for boosting your output (including clever AI tools and shortcuts that’ll make you look like a genius), managing overwhelm without losing your mind, and optimising both work and wellbeing. No motivational fluff. Just battle‑tested tactics from people who’ve cracked the code.

You know those annoyingly successful people who seem to have it all figured out? Time to steal their playbook. Organisational psychologist Dr Amantha Imber gets world‑class achievers to spill their secrets&nbsp;- the daily strategies behind their success through to&nbsp;life hacks and productivity hacks they&rsquo;d rather keep to themselves. We&rsquo;re talking practical tips for boosting your output (including clever AI tools and shortcuts that&rsquo;ll make you look like a genius), managing overwhelm without losing your mind, and optimising both work and wellbeing. No motivational fluff. Just battle‑tested tactics from people who&rsquo;ve cracked the code.

Have you ever wondered if the worlds leading entrepreneurs, writers, musicians and business people construct their day differently to you?

How I Work

Quick Win: What leaders get wrong about saying sorry with Clare Stephens

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/fa326977-3de5-4283-9b8b-af3500c58607/clips/60e2f7f3-c810-4b91-a201-b3760053b325/transcript

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