The race for mayor of Toronto got interesting last week when City Councillor Adam Giambrone, 32, dropped out of the race amid revelations of multiple cases of sexual infidelity and deceit.
To his credit, Giambrone recognized his transgressions with some specificity and the effect of his conduct on different parties. The apology he crafted embraces every aspect of my model for effective apology. There was just one problem: he was so overcome with emotion, he couldn't complete delivering the statement.
Here is the full text of Giambrone's apology.
There are weeks that change your life, and this one has dramatically changed mine. This searing experience has taught me, I hope permanently, that a public career of integrity cannot survive deceit in your private life.
My mistakes have caused hurt to my partner Sarah, to my family, my friends and supporters. To them - and to the women I treated disrespectfully - in front of you, I humbly apologize.
I want to apologize as a councillor, to my fellow councillors, for the negative attention I have brought upon them and to this chamber.
I want to apologize also to the communities across this city and to the young people who believed in me. It is my sincere hope that they continue to believe in themselves and their own abilities to make positive change.
Finally, I deeply apologize to my partner Sarah. The pain she endured for my mistakes was deeply unfair to her. She has shown a lot of strength in all of this. Thank you.
At this point, Giambrone was overwhelmed by emotion and left the news conference. His office released the rest of the apology:
I said at the beginning of this campaign that I would listen and lead. I know I will hear from many in the city, and I will reflect on their counsel with care.
I will spend the next few days in private. My mayoralty campaign ends today. Beginning next week I will return to my normal duties as a councillor.
I will focus with renewed energy on the transformation of the TTC and on building Transit City for the people of Toronto.
Thank you to all my friends and supporters who helped us through these painful days.
Evaluation
Normally, when I evaluate apologies I focus on the language and the actions that flow from the apology, such as restitution. I consider Giambrone's withdrawal from the race sufficient restitution. But in this case, I'm going to take some points off his apology because of his inability to complete the delivery. I think it's vital that an offender have the courage and integrity to face his or her victims. If they decide to deliver an apology in person, it's vital that they follow through and not flake out. Emotion is okay. But withdrawing from the apology, as Giambrone did, marks his apology as less than effective.
Recognition: A
Responsibility: A
Remorse: A
Restitution: A
Repetition: B
Overall Score: B
I recently read your book after I had identified, or worse, my friends and colleagues had identified in me, a significant lack of vocalized apologies for minor misjudgments, sharp words and inconsiderate dealings. In retrospect I am forced to acknowledge that I was very bad at offering sincere apologies when I was wrong. While I believed I had internalized your "five Rs", it was not until today, when I was tasked with crafting a true apology for a large blunder, that I realized how important each "R" is in making a situation right. Thank you again for your insight.