In today’s workplace, effective communication is crucial, yet many employees struggle with what to say – or not say – to their bosses. A study found that 86% of employees and executives cite lack of effective collaboration and communication as the main causes of workplace failures.1
It’s important to choose your words carefully, especially when speaking to superiors. While fostering a friendly relationship with your boss can improve job satisfaction, it’s essential to maintain professional boundaries.
Here are 15 phrases you should strike from your workplace vocabulary immediately. Your career may just depend on it.
1. “That’s not my job”
This phrase immediately paints you as uncooperative and inflexible. It suggests you’re unwilling to go beyond your basic duties or help the team when needed.
In today’s collaborative work environments, this attitude can be a major red flag for managers.
Instead of refusing outright, consider discussing your current workload and asking for guidance on prioritization. This approach shows you’re willing to help but also mindful of your existing responsibilities and the need to manage them effectively.
2. “I don’t get paid enough for this”
Complaining about your compensation, especially in relation to a specific task, is unprofessional and can make you appear mercenary. It implies that you’re only willing to put in effort proportional to your paycheck rather than being committed to your role and the company’s success.
If you genuinely feel undercompensated, schedule a private meeting with your boss to discuss your salary. Come prepared with data on industry standards and your contributions to the company to make a strong case for a raise.
3. “I’ll try”
While this might seem like a commitment, “I’ll try” actually conveys uncertainty and a lack of confidence. It leaves room for failure and doesn’t inspire trust in your abilities.
Your boss wants to know that tasks will be completed, not just attempted.
Replace “I’ll try” with a more definitive statement like “I will do that” or “I’ll get it done by [specific time].” If you foresee challenges, be upfront about them and propose solutions or ask for the resources you need to succeed.
4. “That’s not fair”
Complaining about fairness in the workplace can make you seem immature and unprepared for the realities of professional life. It’s also unproductive, as it focuses on the problem rather than potential solutions.
Fairness is subjective, and your boss may have reasons for decisions that aren’t immediately apparent to you.
Instead of crying foul, ask for clarification on decisions that affect you. Try to understand the reasoning behind them and, if necessary, present a logical case for why you think an alternative approach might be better for the team or company.
5. “I don’t know”
While honesty is important, a flat “I don’t know” can make you appear unprepared or disinterested. It’s a conversation-stopper that doesn’t contribute anything positive to the situation.
Your boss is likely looking to you for information or solutions, not dead ends.
When faced with a question you can’t immediately answer, try “I’ll find out and get back to you by [specific time]” or “I’m not certain, but here’s what I do know…” This shows initiative and a willingness to gather information and contribute to solving the problem at hand.
6. “It’s not my fault”
Deflecting blame is a surefire way to lose your boss’s respect and trust. Even if you’re not entirely responsible for a problem, immediately distancing yourself from it shows a lack of accountability and team spirit.
It can also make you appear defensive and unwilling to learn from mistakes.
Take responsibility for your part in any situation, even if it’s just acknowledging that you could have communicated better or spotted the issue earlier. Focus on solutions and prevention of future problems rather than assigning blame.
7. “I’m bored”
Expressing boredom at work suggests a lack of initiative and engagement. It can make your boss question your commitment to your role and your ability to find ways to contribute meaningfully.
In a fast-paced work environment, admitting boredom can be seen as a luxury the company can’t afford.
If you find yourself with downtime, seek out new projects or ask how you can contribute more to the team’s goals. This proactive approach shows initiative and a desire to grow within your role and the company.
8. “That’s impossible”
Declaring something impossible without exploring options or attempting to find solutions can make you appear defeatist and inflexible. Your boss is likely looking for problem-solvers, not naysayers.
This phrase can shut down productive discussions before they even begin.
Instead of immediately dismissing challenging requests, try “That’s going to be challenging. Here’s what we might need to make it happen…” This approach acknowledges the difficulty while showing a willingness to explore solutions and overcome obstacles.
9. “I have too much on my plate”
While it’s important to manage your workload, simply stating you have too much to do doesn’t solve the problem and can make you appear overwhelmed or inefficient. Your boss needs to know you can handle your responsibilities and communicate effectively about your capacity.
Try a more constructive approach: “I’m currently working on X, Y, and Z. Given this new task, how would you like me to prioritize?”
This shows you’re organized, aware of your commitments, and seeking guidance on managing competing priorities.
10. “That’s not how we’ve always done it.”
Resisting change with this phrase can make you appear inflexible and stuck in the past. In today’s rapidly evolving business environment, adaptability is crucial.
Your boss is likely looking for employees who can embrace new ideas and methods to improve efficiency and outcomes.
If you have concerns about a new approach, express them constructively. Try “I understand we’re considering a new method. Can we discuss how this might impact our current processes?”
This shows you’re thinking critically about changes while remaining open to improvement.
11. “I need a raise”
While it’s perfectly reasonable to want fair compensation, bluntly stating “I need a raise” without context or justification can come across as entitled or unprofessional. Your personal financial needs are not typically a compelling reason for a company to increase your salary.
Instead, schedule a meeting to discuss your compensation. Come prepared with evidence of your contributions, achievements, and how they’ve benefited the company.
Research industry standards for your role and present a well-reasoned case for why you deserve a raise based on your performance and value to the organization.
12. “I can’t work with [colleague’s name]”
Refusing to work with a colleague can make you appear difficult and unprofessional. It suggests you’re unable to manage interpersonal relationships or adapt to different working styles, which are crucial skills in most workplaces.
Your boss needs team players who can collaborate effectively with diverse personalities.
If you’re having genuine difficulties with a coworker, approach your boss with specific, professional concerns and ask for guidance on how to improve the working relationship. Focus on the work-related issues rather than personal grievances, and show a willingness to find a solution.
13. “That’s not my problem”
This phrase immediately distances you from team challenges and can make you appear uncaring or unhelpful. In a collaborative work environment, problems often require collective effort to solve, even if they don’t fall directly under your job description.
Instead of dismissing issues, try “How can I help with this?” or “Let’s see how we can address this together.” This approach shows you’re a team player willing to contribute to solutions, even if the problem didn’t originate in your area of responsibility.
14. “I’m looking for another job.”
Even if you’re actively job hunting, telling your boss can severely damage your current work situation. It can lead to reduced responsibilities, exclusion from important projects, or even accelerate your departure before you’re ready. It also burns bridges you might need in the future.
If you’re unhappy in your current role, have a constructive conversation with your boss about your career goals and how you might achieve them within the company.
If you decide to leave, wait until you have a firm offer before giving notice, and do so professionally and with gratitude for the opportunities you’ve had.
15. “I’ll just wing it.”
This casual approach to work responsibilities can make you appear unprepared and unprofessional. It suggests a lack of respect for the task at hand and can erode your boss’s confidence in your ability to handle important assignments.
Your boss wants to know that you take your work seriously and put in the necessary effort to succeed.
Instead of admitting to a lack of preparation, ask for the resources or time you need to properly prepare. If caught off guard, say something like, “I have some initial thoughts, but I’d like to review the details before giving a full response. Can we schedule a follow-up discussion?”
Effective communication with your boss is crucial for career success and a positive work environment. By avoiding these 15 problematic phrases and adopting more constructive alternatives, you can demonstrate professionalism, initiative, and a team-oriented mindset.
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Martha A. Lavallie
Martha is a journalist with close to a decade of experience in uncovering and reporting on the most compelling stories of our time. Passionate about staying ahead of the curve, she specializes in shedding light on trending topics and captivating global narratives. Her insightful articles have garnered acclaim, making her a trusted voice in today's dynamic media landscape.
