Words have the power to inform, inspire, educate, motivate and clarify. However, in the office, your words can be perceived in altogether different manner. The office has different kinds of politics, and it can be tricky sometimes. It is very easy to say some wrong things when you are mistreated, or you are under stress. But under the office roof, it can cost you a little too much. Therefore, words do matters, at least in the professional environment.
Whether you are saying something inappropriate during a meeting or lunch for that matter, anything you say adds to your character a lot. There can be a number of potential scenarios where you can or have to put your foot into your mouth. Maybe sometimes you are trying to come up with constructive feedback, but you end up being rude and interruptive. Of course, the professional environment does not restrict you to share your ideas, but there is always a polite manner to share your opinions. There are several things that can be unprofessional under the work ethics.
Being professional seems a little new at first. There is no need to hide what you feel. However, you should always steer clear of certain phrases. Saying some unprofessional things can give co-workers a wrong idea about you and your professional character. Perception of your words becomes an essential component of your professional success. You need to conduct yourself to be a grown-up when you speak anything in professional premises. Speaking eloquently just does not focus on improvement in your daily communication, but also it creates a whole different executive presence and overall persona. As Hewlett wrote, “Every verbal encounter is a vital opportunity to build and nurture a positive impression.” Just because of some unprofessional phrases, all your insane work ethics and professional determination are overlooked.
Let us look at some phrases which should never be used in a professional setting:
#1. “It’s Not Fair.”
As Bill Gates has said, “Life is not fair.” We all have to take the challenges of life as they come. Everyone has their obstacles to cope with. If you have some issue at your workplace, assemble all the details and facts, then discuss it with everyone or the manager for that matter. You don’t however, have to talk about the fairness about the company. You can instead focus on your work and think of the ways that can bring changes to your performance. It is the most unhelpful thing to say at work. No matter how many problems you may face, it will come across to everyone as whining. The answers you are likely to get for this may not satisfy you. So there is no point of relying on emotional appeal. Rather find concrete facts-based objections.
#2. “You Should Have..”
Finding someone’s problem is fine but approaching them saying you should not help you or them in any way. You can try and make your approach more constructive. Rather you can say “It did not work this time, my recommendations will be..” There are chances that these fault-finding words will appear like pointing finger. A positive approach is advisable at such situations as in this way you can never expect growth from the other person. If you are polite and constructive, there are a lot of chances that your work will be done more sensibly from the next time.
#3. “I May Be Wrong, But..”
If you have an idea, then be confident to share it. Starting your sentences with “I may be wrong” portrays lack of confidence. Before even starting to share your opinion, you are contradicting it yourself by saying I’m not sure if I’m right or wrong. Others are likely to lose their interest or dismiss your idea if you start your recommendation like this. Strictly avoid discouraging yourself like this. Your idea may not be the right one, but your confidence will be. Do not think what perception people have about you just start with “here’s an idea that I need to share.” This will project your confidence, and you are most probably will listen carefully.
#4. “There’s Nothing I Can Do”
There are times at your workplace when you feel there is nothing else you can do about some issue or work. It usually happens when you are exhausted and tried all potential possibilities. You will go really far if you adopt a “can do it” attitude. Avoid or rather do not accept defeat at any point of work. Instead, you can ask for opinions and help to say “I’m a bit stuck here, can you suggest me something with your vision.” This will ensure a glimpse of positive attitude along with coordination with the fellow employees. Also, this will establish a good teamwork spirit in the company.
#5. “That Makes No Sense”
We all have certain points in life when we get confused. We all are human beings and getting confused is the most natural thing to happen. Instead of directly jumping to the conclusion that the things did not make any sense, you should rather simply say that you tried but could not catch the whole thing accurately. It will not showcase you to be negative, and the speaker will try and simplify things for you in order to help you. You will get another chance to recognize and grasp the information with this approach. Try and use sentences like “I’m not really sure about it, can you suggest this again?” This will work perfectly as nobody likes pessimistic or negative attitude.
#6. “You Are Wrong, I Suppose”
It is established that direct blame is always unprofessional. Even if you are the leader, you need to find ways to stimulate your anger. It is fairly obvious that leaders also need to do self-management. The blame game certainly has the capability to wreck the strongest business relationships. It can hurt your professional career at a crucial level. Blaming each other will anyway not solve the problem. Therefore, focus on solving the issue rather than pointing fingers. Find the ways to prevent it from happening again. So, you can secure it for the future reference.
#7. “I Did My Best”
Since childhood, we all have been taught to do give our best in everything we do. But you need to understand that if your best is not good enough, then you will have to work harder. If someone is asking you to explore your creativity even more than it exists, there is nothing wrong about it. You should take that as an opportunity to learn and try to broaden your limits. Potentials are never limited, and you work hard to expand your potential. So do not mark your best. You can always compete with yourself and achieve much better than you ever thought you could. Instead take suggestions from the superior asking “what can I do, to make it better for the next time?” This will also show your dedication towards ever-improving.
#8. “I Haven’t Had Time”
Most of the time this is an excuse. This is very certain that if you want to take out time for something, you will. So try and not give such statements so that you are not taken as someone who runs from responsibility and work. With this attitude, your reign in work will not last long. Whether you take out time to do something that you are appointed for or forget it. Explaining about why you are submitting something late that it was promised will not make any sense. Rather just assure your superior that you will do it better next time or it will be done in so and so time.
#9. “That’s Not My Job”
Everyone has a certain responsibility under a working roof. But it is not necessary that workload will be similar every time. There is a time when you have to do a little extra work. Stepping out of your duty will never harm you. It will rather improve your skills and take you to some extra miles. Saying something negative will show you as stubborn and uninterested in company’s success. Moreover, in today’s environment at the workplace, you can get thousands of opportunities to prove yourself so much better than they hired you for. So instead of arguing you should make the most out of it.
#10. “ But I’ve Always Done It That Way”
This is human nature that they are somewhere afraid of change especially the one they are comfortable with. There is always value in experience. Trying variety of things will never make you stagnant. It will rather help you to grow. It can not always be the legitimate excuse that you are not ready to come out of your comfortable shell. It will portray you as inflexible and unadaptable. You can not be stuck in your own ways always. Be flexible and open yourself to ideas and innovations. Try a different approach like “Can you enlighten me why it is better?” This will also project your urge to know and learn new things.
So these were the few phrases that will always make a bad impression in your workplace. Avoid them, and you are miles to go. Share some of your thoughts as well about workplace by commenting down below.
(Featured Image Courtesy: Entrepreneur)
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