Phrases You Should Absolutely Never Say at Work

16 Phrases You Should Absolutely Never Say at Work

1. "It's not fair."

She/He got a raise, you didn’t. He was recognized, you weren’t. “Some people have food to eat while others starve.” “Injustices happen on the job and in the world every day. Whether it’s a troubling issue at work or a serious problem for the planet, the point in avoiding this phrase is to be protective approximately issue versus complaining, or more regrettable, inactively crying.” 

Instead, report the actualities, construct a case and show an brilliantly contention to the individual or gather who can assist you. 

2. “That’s not my job.”

When it’s used:

Someone asks you for help for a task that is outside of your core job description and you don’t really want to do. Rather than spend some time helping or just saying no, you say this instead.And immediately regret it.

What people hear when you say it:

“I’m out for myself only.”

A better option : 

If you don’t have time to help someone at that moment, tell them you can’t do it or you can do it later if possible. But don’t say it isn’t your job – ultimately, your job is to help your organization win, so helping where you can is part of your job.

3. “We’ve tried that before.”

When it’s used: 

Someone – generally, someone who has been with the company for less time than you – suggests an idea. Instead of giving historical context but hearing them out, you shut them down with this phrase.

What people hear when you say it:

Either “I don’t want to put the effort in” or “I know everything and you know nothing”, neither one of which is particularly good.

A better option: 

Hear them out. Maybe what’s being proposed has been tried, but wasn’t done well. So let the past experience inform your next move, but there’s always room for a new approach.

4. “There’s no budget for that.”

When it’s used: 

A person has an idea they are really passionate about. Similar to the last example, rather than hear it out and weigh the merit, you shut it down by saying there’s no money.

What people hear when you say it: 

“Keep your head down and do what’s expected.”

A better option:

Great ideas should be funded, or perhaps there is a way to do it with a minimal budget. But killing every new idea with “there’s no budget for it” is a surefire way to minimize your team’s creativity.

5. “I told you so.”

When it’s used: 

A colleague has an idea, you say it is a bad idea, and they do it anyway. They fail. As if that isn’t enough, you pile on top of them with this.

What people hear when you say it: 

“I was actively rooting against you.”

A better option: 

“I told you so” has never helped anyone, and the person almost

assuredly realizes that anyway. A better option here is simple – silence.

6. “That doesn’t follow procedure.”

When it’s used: 

Someone has an idea that doesn’t jive with the standard way your company has done things.

What people hear when you say it: 

“There’s only one way to do things here.”

A better option:

Most rules are not absolute and, if a procedure is blocking progress,change it. Blindly adhering to the way things have always been done destroys innovation.

7. “I think…”

Which of these two statements sounds more authoritative?: “I think our company might be a good partner for you.” Or, “I believe…” “I know…” or “I am confident that our company will be a good partner for you.”

“There is a slight difference in the wording, however the conviction communicated to your customer is profound,” she says. “You may have noticed, the first phrase contains two weak words, ‘think’ and ‘might.’ They risk making you sound unsure or insecure about the message. Conversely, the second sentence is assertive and certain. To convey a command of content and passion for your subject, substitute the word ‘think’ with ‘believe’ and replace ‘might’ with ‘will.’"

8. “No problem.”

When someone thanks you, the courteous and polite reply is, “You’re welcome.”

"The meaning implies that it was a pleasure for you to help the person, and that you receive their appreciation," Price says. "Though the casual laid-back phrase, 'no problem' may intend to communicate this, it falls short. It actually negates the person’s appreciation and implies the situation could have been a problem under other circumstances." In business and social situations, if you want to be perceived as well-mannered and considerate, respond to thank you's with, “You’re welcome.”

9. “He/She’s a jerk,” or “He/She’s lazy,” or “My job stinks,” or “I hate this company.”

Nothing tanks a career faster than name-calling, Price says. “Not only does it reveal juvenile school-yard immaturity, it’s language that is liable and fire-able.”

Avoid making unkind, judgmental statements that will inevitably reflect poorly on you. If you have a genuine complaint about someone or something, communicate the issue with tact, consideration and neutrality.

10. "But we've always done it that way."

"The most effective leaders value innovation, creative thinking and problem solving skills in their employees," In one fell swoop, this phrase reveals you are the opposite: stuck in the past, inflexible, and closed-minded."Instead say, 'Wow, that’s an interesting idea. How would that work?' Or, 'That’s a different approach. Let’s discuss the pros and cons.'"

11. “That’s impossible” or “There’s nothing I can do.”

Really? Are you sure you’ve considered every single possible solution and the list is now exhausted? “When you make the mistake of saying these negative phrases, your words convey a pessimistic, passive, even hopeless outlook”. “This approach is seldom valued in the workplace. Employers notice, recognize and promote a can-do attitude. Despite the glum circumstances, communicate through your words what you can contribute to the situation.”

Instead, try something like, “I’ll be glad to check on it again,” “Let’s discuss what’s possible under these circumstances,” or, “What I can do is this?”

12. “You should have…” or “You could have…”

You probably wouldn’t be thrilled if someone said: “You should have told me about this sooner!” Or, “You could have tried a little harder.” “Chances are, these fault-finding words inflict feelings of blame and finger-pointing”. “Ideally, the workplace fosters equality, collaboration and teamwork. Instead of making someone feel guilty (even if they are), take a more productive non-judgmental approach.” Say, “Next time, to ensure proper planning, please bring this to my attention immediately.” Or, “In the future, I recommend…”

13. “You guys.”

Reserve the phrase “you guys” for friendly casual conversations and avoid using it in business. "Referring to a group of people as 'you guys' is not only inaccurate if women are present, it is slang and lowers your level of professionalism,". With fellow professionals such as your boss, co-workers and clients, substitute “you guys” with terms such as “your organization” or “your team” or simply “you.”

14. “I may be wrong, but…” or “This may be a silly idea, but…”

These phrases are known as discounting. They diminish the impact of what follows and reduce your credibility. “Remember that your spoken words reveal to the world how much value you place on yourself and your message. For this reason, eliminate any prefacing phrase that demeans the importance of who you are or lessens the significance of what you contribute.”

Don’t say, “This may be a silly idea, but I was thinking that maybe we might conduct the quarterly meeting online instead, okay?” Instead, assert your recommendation: “To reduce travel costs and increase time efficiency, I recommend we conduct the quarterly meeting online.”

15. “Don’t you think?” or “Okay?”

These phrases are commonly known as seeking validation through the use of overly cautious or non-committal words, she says. “If you truly are seeking approval or looking for validation, these phrases may well apply. However, if your goal is to communicate a confident commanding message and persuade people to see it your way, instead of hedging make your statement or recommendation with certainty.”

Imagine an investment banker saying, “This is a good way to invest your money, don’t you think? I’ll proceed, if that’s okay with you.” Instead, you’d probably want to hear something like: “This strategy is a wise investment that provides long-term benefits. With your approval, I’ll wire the money by today.”

16. “I don’t have time for this right now,” or “I’m too busy.”

“Even if these statements are true, no one wants to feel less important than something or someone else,”. To foster positive relations and convey empathy, say instead: I’d be happy to discuss this with you after my Task if possible.”