When you make a mistake, take direct ownership instead of defending your intentions. Offer a genuine apology ('I was wrong') rather than a conditional one ('I'm sorry you feel that way'). Assess the social 'blast radius' and apologize to everyone affected to repair trust with the entire team.
Examples
After realizing his public code critique caused a developer to quit, the lead apologized directly to the individual. He then apologized to the entire team for misusing his authority and creating a negative environment.
