My oldest son, who was in the Air Force, once told someone . . . don’t be sorry – be better. 

I like that phrase.

I asked him where he got it and he said it is pretty common in the military.  I can see that.

I can see how being sorry for a mistake, attitude, or deficiency in the military can cost lives without doing anything to fix the situation for the future.

Sometimes people really do want to hear that you are sorry for something that happened to them, especially if you are responsible, but sorry will not fix it.

Someone can be sorry if it is a one-time thing, but when it continues to happen over and over you’re not really sorry.  When it is a fairly common occurrence, we really should try to be better.

If someone is going to continue working with you after a mistake, they have to believe you want to be better.

Be better.