In the workplace, it’s not a matter of just what you say but how you say it. Even if you think the words you’re using seem acceptable, they can actually make everyone feel bad or even get them confused. Thankfully, there are some ways to avoid hurting your business relationships by mistake. Let’s look at a few things that might unintentionally sound wrong and what you should say instead.
Featured Image Credit: Pexels.
“That’s Not My Job”
This one’s difficult because even though you might be setting boundaries, it’s usually pretty disingenuous. It comes across like you’re not giving your all to help out and do the work by arguing, “That’s not my job.” Instead, try to make it something that doesn’t automatically exclude helping like – “I’d be happy to help, but at this moment I’m concentrating on [task]. So maybe [someone else in the team] can do something, or I can come in later.” This way, you’re open, but you still have some boundaries.
“With All Due Respect”
If you’re trying to give constructive criticism, saying “With all due respect” is only going to make people nervous. It puts them on edge, and they’re focused on the problem and not what you have to say. Always politely cut to the chase with a “Here’s my take” or “I’d like to suggest a change.” It feels a lot more sincere and less aggressive.
Like our content? Be sure to follow us.
“I’ll Try”
When you say, “I’ll try,” it may sound great, but it comes across like you don’t really care about doing it. To some people, it’s a bit too tentative or partial. Instead, if you can, be more confident and say, “I’ll make sure it’s done by [date or time]” or “I’ll do whatever I can to get it done.” That way, you’re not backing down, and you’ll still have some trust with your team.
“No Offense, But…”
You probably say it whenever you say something, but people could take it the wrong way — it rarely makes things better. If anything, it actually does the opposite. People just expect to hear something judgmental after you say, “No offense, but…” By starting out with “Hey, am I understanding this correctly…” or “Hey, can you elaborate?”, you’re cutting out the preamble and are getting straight to the point in a friendlier way.
“I Don’t Have Time for This”
Saying “I don’t have time for this” because you’re under pressure just sounds dismissive, as if the other person’s problem doesn’t matter. That makes coworkers think you don’t care. A better idea is to say something like, “Hey, I’d like to talk about this, but I’m a bit busy right now. can we talk about it at a later time?” It’ll acknowledge them without seeming like you’re dismissing them.
“I Thought You Knew”
Saying “I thought you knew,” comes across like you’re pointing the finger, even if you’re not meaning to. Your coworkers will feel like they’re missing something that might be completely obvious. Instead, say, “Hey, this is what I know — let’s go over it together to make sure we’re on the same page.” When you say this, you’re being helpful without accusing them of missing things.
“It’s Always Been Done This Way”
It’s easy to rely on saying, “That’s how it always was,” if you’re used to a process. When you tell people this, they feel like you’re not being receptive when, in fact, you are. So instead, just say, “Here’s how we’ve done it before, but I want to hear from you if you have suggestions.” That tells others that you’re willing to learn, and that makes them feel better.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
Like our content? Be sure to follow us.
Read More:
