How to respond when boss says sorry?

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My boss is very nice to me. Often he will apologize when he is unable to make time for me because he is too busy with other work. Additionally he will usually apologize the next time he communicates with me. How should I respond when my boss says sorry?







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  • 18




    Keep it simple. "No problem!"
    – Jane S♦
    Apr 23 '15 at 5:25










  • As above. Just acknowledge it and move on. Don't make a big deal of it, he isn't after that. He is professional and polite. A simple "No problem!" is all I do. So far, it's worked just fine :)
    – Jane S♦
    Apr 23 '15 at 5:31










  • @JaneS you should post that as an answer.
    – Philip Kendall
    Apr 23 '15 at 5:57










  • If you have the right communication relationship for it, you could also try a half-joking response, something like "I'll forgive you this time, because I know how busy you are. But I expect you to be on time for the next meeting!" Make sure you deliver this in a good-natured way, in a cheerful manner. The purpose of the half-joking delivery is to keep things friendly, but also to make sure the message is out that you actually do need him to be on time for the meetings (at least sometimes).
    – Brandin
    Apr 23 '15 at 12:54










  • @Brandin That's good idea but i doubt that it will work in my scenario.
    – Rahul Nikate
    Apr 23 '15 at 16:43
















up vote
7
down vote

favorite
2












My boss is very nice to me. Often he will apologize when he is unable to make time for me because he is too busy with other work. Additionally he will usually apologize the next time he communicates with me. How should I respond when my boss says sorry?







share|improve this question


















  • 18




    Keep it simple. "No problem!"
    – Jane S♦
    Apr 23 '15 at 5:25










  • As above. Just acknowledge it and move on. Don't make a big deal of it, he isn't after that. He is professional and polite. A simple "No problem!" is all I do. So far, it's worked just fine :)
    – Jane S♦
    Apr 23 '15 at 5:31










  • @JaneS you should post that as an answer.
    – Philip Kendall
    Apr 23 '15 at 5:57










  • If you have the right communication relationship for it, you could also try a half-joking response, something like "I'll forgive you this time, because I know how busy you are. But I expect you to be on time for the next meeting!" Make sure you deliver this in a good-natured way, in a cheerful manner. The purpose of the half-joking delivery is to keep things friendly, but also to make sure the message is out that you actually do need him to be on time for the meetings (at least sometimes).
    – Brandin
    Apr 23 '15 at 12:54










  • @Brandin That's good idea but i doubt that it will work in my scenario.
    – Rahul Nikate
    Apr 23 '15 at 16:43












up vote
7
down vote

favorite
2









up vote
7
down vote

favorite
2






2





My boss is very nice to me. Often he will apologize when he is unable to make time for me because he is too busy with other work. Additionally he will usually apologize the next time he communicates with me. How should I respond when my boss says sorry?







share|improve this question














My boss is very nice to me. Often he will apologize when he is unable to make time for me because he is too busy with other work. Additionally he will usually apologize the next time he communicates with me. How should I respond when my boss says sorry?









share|improve this question













share|improve this question




share|improve this question








edited May 18 '15 at 18:02

























asked Apr 23 '15 at 5:18









Rahul Nikate

1782412




1782412







  • 18




    Keep it simple. "No problem!"
    – Jane S♦
    Apr 23 '15 at 5:25










  • As above. Just acknowledge it and move on. Don't make a big deal of it, he isn't after that. He is professional and polite. A simple "No problem!" is all I do. So far, it's worked just fine :)
    – Jane S♦
    Apr 23 '15 at 5:31










  • @JaneS you should post that as an answer.
    – Philip Kendall
    Apr 23 '15 at 5:57










  • If you have the right communication relationship for it, you could also try a half-joking response, something like "I'll forgive you this time, because I know how busy you are. But I expect you to be on time for the next meeting!" Make sure you deliver this in a good-natured way, in a cheerful manner. The purpose of the half-joking delivery is to keep things friendly, but also to make sure the message is out that you actually do need him to be on time for the meetings (at least sometimes).
    – Brandin
    Apr 23 '15 at 12:54










  • @Brandin That's good idea but i doubt that it will work in my scenario.
    – Rahul Nikate
    Apr 23 '15 at 16:43












  • 18




    Keep it simple. "No problem!"
    – Jane S♦
    Apr 23 '15 at 5:25










  • As above. Just acknowledge it and move on. Don't make a big deal of it, he isn't after that. He is professional and polite. A simple "No problem!" is all I do. So far, it's worked just fine :)
    – Jane S♦
    Apr 23 '15 at 5:31










  • @JaneS you should post that as an answer.
    – Philip Kendall
    Apr 23 '15 at 5:57










  • If you have the right communication relationship for it, you could also try a half-joking response, something like "I'll forgive you this time, because I know how busy you are. But I expect you to be on time for the next meeting!" Make sure you deliver this in a good-natured way, in a cheerful manner. The purpose of the half-joking delivery is to keep things friendly, but also to make sure the message is out that you actually do need him to be on time for the meetings (at least sometimes).
    – Brandin
    Apr 23 '15 at 12:54










  • @Brandin That's good idea but i doubt that it will work in my scenario.
    – Rahul Nikate
    Apr 23 '15 at 16:43







18




18




Keep it simple. "No problem!"
– Jane S♦
Apr 23 '15 at 5:25




Keep it simple. "No problem!"
– Jane S♦
Apr 23 '15 at 5:25












As above. Just acknowledge it and move on. Don't make a big deal of it, he isn't after that. He is professional and polite. A simple "No problem!" is all I do. So far, it's worked just fine :)
– Jane S♦
Apr 23 '15 at 5:31




As above. Just acknowledge it and move on. Don't make a big deal of it, he isn't after that. He is professional and polite. A simple "No problem!" is all I do. So far, it's worked just fine :)
– Jane S♦
Apr 23 '15 at 5:31












@JaneS you should post that as an answer.
– Philip Kendall
Apr 23 '15 at 5:57




@JaneS you should post that as an answer.
– Philip Kendall
Apr 23 '15 at 5:57












If you have the right communication relationship for it, you could also try a half-joking response, something like "I'll forgive you this time, because I know how busy you are. But I expect you to be on time for the next meeting!" Make sure you deliver this in a good-natured way, in a cheerful manner. The purpose of the half-joking delivery is to keep things friendly, but also to make sure the message is out that you actually do need him to be on time for the meetings (at least sometimes).
– Brandin
Apr 23 '15 at 12:54




If you have the right communication relationship for it, you could also try a half-joking response, something like "I'll forgive you this time, because I know how busy you are. But I expect you to be on time for the next meeting!" Make sure you deliver this in a good-natured way, in a cheerful manner. The purpose of the half-joking delivery is to keep things friendly, but also to make sure the message is out that you actually do need him to be on time for the meetings (at least sometimes).
– Brandin
Apr 23 '15 at 12:54












@Brandin That's good idea but i doubt that it will work in my scenario.
– Rahul Nikate
Apr 23 '15 at 16:43




@Brandin That's good idea but i doubt that it will work in my scenario.
– Rahul Nikate
Apr 23 '15 at 16:43










2 Answers
2






active

oldest

votes

















up vote
24
down vote



accepted










I believe you are definitely overthinking this. I expect your workplace isn't super formal (because most workplaces aren't, these days), so there are many ways of responding to this in a laid-back manner, but retaining common courtesy. Often times, these can include basic phrases like



  • It's OK

  • No problem

  • Don't worry about it

but can be succeeded by adding onto it why it's actually OK.



  • It's OK, I can do task X in the meantime

  • Don't worry about it. We can discuss some other issues until you arrive

  • No problem! I was hoping to finish what I was doing before you came in anyway

This will hopefully relieve your boss' worries, as well as let him know that you're still performing your duties even though he's having some minor issues of his own.






share|improve this answer



























    up vote
    2
    down vote













    I don't know if this applies to your boss, but there are occasions when people say 'sorry' when it's clearly not necessary as a sort of passive-aggressive way of expressing disapproval, as if they're saying "You've put me in a position where I'm now uncomfortable, and it's actually your fault, and I'm going to communicate this by giving an unnecessary apology to make you feel awkward".



    If this is the case here (and it may very well not be) he's really saying that he doesn't need to be consulted on this occasion. You can take the hint if you like, but he is, of course, using an unclear and unassertive way to tell you.






    share|improve this answer




















    • Yeah I'm agree with you. This might be the case
      – Rahul Nikate
      Oct 20 '16 at 16:43









    protected by Chris E Oct 20 '16 at 16:01



    Thank you for your interest in this question.
    Because it has attracted low-quality or spam answers that had to be removed, posting an answer now requires 10 reputation on this site (the association bonus does not count).



    Would you like to answer one of these unanswered questions instead?














    2 Answers
    2






    active

    oldest

    votes








    2 Answers
    2






    active

    oldest

    votes









    active

    oldest

    votes






    active

    oldest

    votes








    up vote
    24
    down vote



    accepted










    I believe you are definitely overthinking this. I expect your workplace isn't super formal (because most workplaces aren't, these days), so there are many ways of responding to this in a laid-back manner, but retaining common courtesy. Often times, these can include basic phrases like



    • It's OK

    • No problem

    • Don't worry about it

    but can be succeeded by adding onto it why it's actually OK.



    • It's OK, I can do task X in the meantime

    • Don't worry about it. We can discuss some other issues until you arrive

    • No problem! I was hoping to finish what I was doing before you came in anyway

    This will hopefully relieve your boss' worries, as well as let him know that you're still performing your duties even though he's having some minor issues of his own.






    share|improve this answer
























      up vote
      24
      down vote



      accepted










      I believe you are definitely overthinking this. I expect your workplace isn't super formal (because most workplaces aren't, these days), so there are many ways of responding to this in a laid-back manner, but retaining common courtesy. Often times, these can include basic phrases like



      • It's OK

      • No problem

      • Don't worry about it

      but can be succeeded by adding onto it why it's actually OK.



      • It's OK, I can do task X in the meantime

      • Don't worry about it. We can discuss some other issues until you arrive

      • No problem! I was hoping to finish what I was doing before you came in anyway

      This will hopefully relieve your boss' worries, as well as let him know that you're still performing your duties even though he's having some minor issues of his own.






      share|improve this answer






















        up vote
        24
        down vote



        accepted







        up vote
        24
        down vote



        accepted






        I believe you are definitely overthinking this. I expect your workplace isn't super formal (because most workplaces aren't, these days), so there are many ways of responding to this in a laid-back manner, but retaining common courtesy. Often times, these can include basic phrases like



        • It's OK

        • No problem

        • Don't worry about it

        but can be succeeded by adding onto it why it's actually OK.



        • It's OK, I can do task X in the meantime

        • Don't worry about it. We can discuss some other issues until you arrive

        • No problem! I was hoping to finish what I was doing before you came in anyway

        This will hopefully relieve your boss' worries, as well as let him know that you're still performing your duties even though he's having some minor issues of his own.






        share|improve this answer












        I believe you are definitely overthinking this. I expect your workplace isn't super formal (because most workplaces aren't, these days), so there are many ways of responding to this in a laid-back manner, but retaining common courtesy. Often times, these can include basic phrases like



        • It's OK

        • No problem

        • Don't worry about it

        but can be succeeded by adding onto it why it's actually OK.



        • It's OK, I can do task X in the meantime

        • Don't worry about it. We can discuss some other issues until you arrive

        • No problem! I was hoping to finish what I was doing before you came in anyway

        This will hopefully relieve your boss' worries, as well as let him know that you're still performing your duties even though he's having some minor issues of his own.







        share|improve this answer












        share|improve this answer



        share|improve this answer










        answered Apr 23 '15 at 6:16









        Alec

        4,31911636




        4,31911636






















            up vote
            2
            down vote













            I don't know if this applies to your boss, but there are occasions when people say 'sorry' when it's clearly not necessary as a sort of passive-aggressive way of expressing disapproval, as if they're saying "You've put me in a position where I'm now uncomfortable, and it's actually your fault, and I'm going to communicate this by giving an unnecessary apology to make you feel awkward".



            If this is the case here (and it may very well not be) he's really saying that he doesn't need to be consulted on this occasion. You can take the hint if you like, but he is, of course, using an unclear and unassertive way to tell you.






            share|improve this answer




















            • Yeah I'm agree with you. This might be the case
              – Rahul Nikate
              Oct 20 '16 at 16:43














            up vote
            2
            down vote













            I don't know if this applies to your boss, but there are occasions when people say 'sorry' when it's clearly not necessary as a sort of passive-aggressive way of expressing disapproval, as if they're saying "You've put me in a position where I'm now uncomfortable, and it's actually your fault, and I'm going to communicate this by giving an unnecessary apology to make you feel awkward".



            If this is the case here (and it may very well not be) he's really saying that he doesn't need to be consulted on this occasion. You can take the hint if you like, but he is, of course, using an unclear and unassertive way to tell you.






            share|improve this answer




















            • Yeah I'm agree with you. This might be the case
              – Rahul Nikate
              Oct 20 '16 at 16:43












            up vote
            2
            down vote










            up vote
            2
            down vote









            I don't know if this applies to your boss, but there are occasions when people say 'sorry' when it's clearly not necessary as a sort of passive-aggressive way of expressing disapproval, as if they're saying "You've put me in a position where I'm now uncomfortable, and it's actually your fault, and I'm going to communicate this by giving an unnecessary apology to make you feel awkward".



            If this is the case here (and it may very well not be) he's really saying that he doesn't need to be consulted on this occasion. You can take the hint if you like, but he is, of course, using an unclear and unassertive way to tell you.






            share|improve this answer












            I don't know if this applies to your boss, but there are occasions when people say 'sorry' when it's clearly not necessary as a sort of passive-aggressive way of expressing disapproval, as if they're saying "You've put me in a position where I'm now uncomfortable, and it's actually your fault, and I'm going to communicate this by giving an unnecessary apology to make you feel awkward".



            If this is the case here (and it may very well not be) he's really saying that he doesn't need to be consulted on this occasion. You can take the hint if you like, but he is, of course, using an unclear and unassertive way to tell you.







            share|improve this answer












            share|improve this answer



            share|improve this answer










            answered Oct 20 '16 at 15:44









            phillip

            211




            211











            • Yeah I'm agree with you. This might be the case
              – Rahul Nikate
              Oct 20 '16 at 16:43
















            • Yeah I'm agree with you. This might be the case
              – Rahul Nikate
              Oct 20 '16 at 16:43















            Yeah I'm agree with you. This might be the case
            – Rahul Nikate
            Oct 20 '16 at 16:43




            Yeah I'm agree with you. This might be the case
            – Rahul Nikate
            Oct 20 '16 at 16:43





            protected by Chris E Oct 20 '16 at 16:01



            Thank you for your interest in this question.
            Because it has attracted low-quality or spam answers that had to be removed, posting an answer now requires 10 reputation on this site (the association bonus does not count).



            Would you like to answer one of these unanswered questions instead?


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