Work on Redeeming Yourself Like Miley

“I hope you had an awesome time,” Miley Cyrus told the crowd at the Disney Channel Games concert on May 3 in Orlando, Fla. “I saw a sign back there that said, ‘Miley, I'm praying for you.’ I could not be more appreciative. Thank you guys for all your support. Without you, none of this would be possible. I love every one of you and I could not be more appreciative. God bless you.”

It was Cyrus’s first public appearance since her scantily clad photo spread in Vanity Fair hit the court of public opinion, and the Disney (DIS) singing sensation, 15, was more appropriately dressed this time, in white jeans, a white tank top and sneakers.

However, the controversy did curtail the Hannah Montana star's weekend plans somewhat: She ducked out of a planned red carpet event prior to the show and declined to attend a media event which supports the Disney competition for charity.

Still, the move was the first step in the right direction for Ms. Cyrus and her career (which is largely based on her wholesome image), according to Michael Robinson, senior vice president of Levick Strategic Communications, a New York based crisis management firm. “This concert is important for her. She needs to re-assert her throne in the magic kingdom,” says Robinson. “When a crisis hits, people should address it and move on. If you don’t address it there will always be an elephant in the room, in the case, a flying elephant.”

That is a lesson anyone who has made a mistake at work can learn from. Penelope Trunk, author of the Brazen Careerist, says that an apology can often be the saving grace in a controversial work situation. “Apologize, apologize, apologize. The most important thing to do is apologize," says Trunk. "You can afford to make one mistake, but you can’t afford not to say you are sorry for it.”