Status Updates From Something's Not Right: Deco...

A truth-filled apology has a majestic quality, while a concession lacks that freeing quality. It confuses and frustrates because it doesn’t name specific wrongs, leaving the wrongdoer’s responsibility unclear. Not accepting a concession can lead to further tension. Concessions are short, non-specific, and defensive, as the individual or organization tries to avoid facing consequences and expects immediate escape.

“There are no shortcuts to authentic confession, restitution, and repair. A person must know what it is they have done and the harm they have caused before they can even hope to offer an apology that heals. Truth must always precede confession, and an apology offered without a full acknowledgement of the truth is more likely a concession, a tactic designed to disarm a threat.”