To effectively apologize, one should: 1. Express remorse using "I'm sorry" rather than regret using "I apologize". Remorse shows empathy for how one's actions affected others. 2. Acknowledge specifically what was done and how it hurt the other person. Listen to understand their perspective before summarizing. 3. Acknowledge that boundaries of the relationship were violated. 4. Promise specific changes in future behavior to address the issue and follow through on that promise. An effective apology involves changing one's behavior.