The moment you say "but," the apology dies. A "but" is a justification in disguise. "I’m sorry I was late, but traffic was terrible."
"I am sorry that I spoke to you disrespectfully." (This owns your behavior). 2. Skip the "But"
"I’m sorry I was late. I didn't manage my time well and I know you've been waiting." 3. Acknowledge the Impact Anything
Show them you actually understand why they are upset. This is the "empathy" phase.
"I’m sorry if you felt bad about what I said." (This blames their reaction). The moment you say "but," the apology dies
Since your request is wide open, I’ve put together a guide for one of the most useful (and often botched) life skills:
"I realize that by being late, I made you feel like I don't value your time. That wasn't fair to you." 4. The "Repair" Plan Acknowledge the Impact Show them you actually understand
Start by stating exactly what you did without using the word "if."