Here’s why the governor’s apology was not ethically intelligent and how he can correct this.
The subtext of what New York Governor Andrew Cuomo’s said in his resignation speech reveals the difference between what he said and what he meant. Although he stated that he “deeply, deeply” apologizes for what he did, the way in which he did so was not ethically intelligent. Let’s briefly consider what an ethically intelligent apology is. Then we’ll take a look at some key statements in his apology and why he undercut his message over and over. Finally, I’ll suggest ways he could have made a better apology and what it will take for him to do so. Apologizing with ethical intelligence means: Governor Cuomo’s speech did some but not all of these things, as the following excerpts reveal. “…when there is a bias or a lack of fairness in the justice system, it is a concern for everyone, not just those immediately affected.” ” I was the one who was wronged.” “I thought a hug and putting my arm around a staff person while taking a picture was friendly, but she found it to be too forward. I kissed a woman on the cheek at a wedding and I thought I was being nice, but she felt that it was too aggressive. I have slipped and called people honey, sweetheart and darling. I meant it to be endearing, but women found it dated and offensive… I take full responsibility for my actions.” “The women I offended are too sensitive.” “In my mind I’ve never crossed the line with anyone, but I didn’t realize the extent to which the line has been redrawn.
