Are you accidentally sabotaging your career with the wrong words? The way you communicate in the workplace can have a big impact on your professional reputation.
A whopping 86% of employees cite ineffective collaboration and communication as the main causes of workplace failures.1
To avoid putting your foot in your mouth, steer clear of these 16 cringe-worthy phrases that can make you look unprofessional, uncooperative, or even incompetent.
1. “That’s not my job”
Refusing to pitch in or help out a coworker because a task isn’t in your job description makes you appear inflexible and unwilling to be a team player. If you truly don’t have the bandwidth to assist, offer to help find someone else who can lend a hand.
Instead of dismissing a request outright, try a more collaborative approach like: “I’d be happy to help, but I’m tied up with project X until next week. Let me check with Sarah to see if she is available to work on this with you.”
2. “It’s not my fault.”
Playing the blame game when something goes wrong is a surefire way to strain your work relationships. Take accountability for your part in the situation and focus on finding solutions rather than pointing fingers.
Own up to your mistakes gracefully with phrasing like: “You’re right, I dropped the ball on communicating that change to the client. Let me reach out to them right now to clear up any confusion. I’ll make sure to keep everyone in the loop going forward.”
3. “I may be wrong, but…”
Prefacing your ideas with wishy-washy disclaimers like this diminishes your credibility and makes you seem unsure of yourself. Assert your opinions confidently, even if you’re not 100% certain.
Cut the qualifying language and state your views directly: “I recommend moving forward with plan A. Based on the data, I believe it gives us the best chance of success.”
4. “This may be a stupid question, but…”
Putting yourself down before you even ask a question signals a lack of self-assurance. Remember, there’s no such thing as a stupid question, especially if the answer will help you do your job better.
Ask for the information you need without apology: “Could you please clarify the deadline for this assignment? I want to make sure I allot enough time to complete it to the highest standard.”
5. “I don’t have time for this right now”
Brushing off a coworker who needs your input comes across as rude and dismissive. If you’re genuinely swamped, propose an alternative time to connect.
Communicate your willingness to engage, even if you can’t drop everything this second: “I’m wrapping up another project at the moment, but I’m very interested in discussing this further. Could we set up a 15-minute call this afternoon?”
6. “That’s impossible”
Shutting down ideas or requests as “impossible” without fully exploring solutions makes you seem inflexible and unwilling to problem-solve. Even if something seems unfeasible at first glance, approach it with a can-do attitude.
Reframe your response to focus on finding workarounds: “Meeting that deadline will be challenging given our current resources, but let’s brainstorm some creative solutions. I’m confident we can find a way to make it work.”
7. “I think…”
Overusing this phrase can make you sound unsure of your own opinions. Of course, it’s perfectly fine to express uncertainty when you are still formulating your thoughts. But if you have a firm stance, state it assertively.
Replace “I think” with a more self-assured phrasing: “I strongly believe this campaign will resonate with our target audience, based on the market research data.”
8. “It’s not a big deal”
Downplaying issues or mistakes can make you appear careless or unaccountable. Even if an error seems minor to you, acknowledge its impact and take steps to rectify it.
Show that you take your work seriously: “I apologize for the typos in that client email. I understand how important it is that we present a polished image. I’ll be sure to proofread more carefully in the future.”
9. “You look tired”
Commenting on a coworker’s appearance, even if you think you’re being sympathetic, is inappropriate and can make them feel self-conscious. Stick to work-related topics to avoid overstepping boundaries.
If you’re concerned about a colleague’s wellbeing, check in with them respectfully: “I noticed you’ve been putting in a lot of late nights recently. Is there anything I can do to help lighten your load?”
10. “But we’ve always done it this way.”
This phrase is the death knell of innovation. Clinging to the status quo stifles creativity and signals inflexibility. Remain open to new ideas and processes.
Demonstrate your willingness to evolve with the times: “Transitioning to this new system will take some adjustment, but I’m excited to learn the updated workflow and see how it improves our efficiency.”
11. “It’s not fair”
Complaining about perceived injustices makes you seem immature and unwilling to accept feedback. If you have concerns about how you’re being treated, address them directly with the appropriate parties.
Advocate for yourself professionally: “I’d like to discuss my performance and compensation. Based on my contributions this quarter, I believe I’ve earned a raise.”
12. “I don’t get paid enough for this”
Griping about your salary, especially in front of colleagues, is unprofessional. If you feel you’re being underpaid, build a case and request a raise through the proper channels.
Express your expectations respectfully: “In my time here, I’ve taken on significant additional responsibilities. I’d like to have a conversation about adjusting my compensation to align with my expanded role.”
13. “I hate this job”
Constantly badmouthing your job or your employer erodes morale and reflects poorly on you. If you’re truly miserable, it’s time to start looking for a new opportunity.
Vent your frustrations to a trusted friend outside of work and adopt a more positive attitude on the job: “I’m grateful for the opportunities I’ve had here, but I’m ready for a new challenge that aligns better with my long-term career goals.”
14. “I’m so hungover.”
Sharing the gory details of your wild night out with coworkers is TMI. Keep your personal life separate from your professional persona to maintain credibility.
If you’re under the weather, keep it vague and power through: “I’m feeling a bit off today, but I’ll do my best to rally. Looking forward to diving into our meeting agenda.”
15. “I heard that…”
Engaging in gossip reflects poorly on your character and can create a toxic work environment. Rise above the rumor mill and focus on your own work.
Shut down hearsay with a simple: “I don’t feel comfortable speculating about that. Let’s focus on the task at hand.”
16. “It’s not my problem”
Washing your hands of an issue that impacts the team shows a lack of ownership and initiative. Even if a problem doesn’t fall directly under your purview, offer to pitch in and help find a solution.
Demonstrate your willingness to be part of the solution: “I may not be directly involved in that project, but I’m happy to lend my expertise. Let’s put our heads together and figure out how to get things back on track.”
By eliminating these 16 phrases from your work vocabulary, you’ll communicate more effectively, build stronger relationships with your colleagues, and position yourself as a consummate professional.
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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.
