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 Done