?5 Career-limiting Phrases to Avoid at Work – and What to Say Instead

Welcome to Career Catalyst, your weekly dose of practical strategies and tips for career advancement – minus the overwhelm!

We all know that effective communication is key to our success, but are you aware of just how crucial it really is?

Research has demonstrated time and time again that it's the bedrock upon which we build strong relationships and thrive in our careers.

But what many people don't realise is that certain phrases can be detrimental to your progress in the workplace.

Whether you're working with colleagues, interacting with customers, or leading a team, the words you choose can have a profound impact on your ability to succeed.

That's why I’ve put together a list of five career-limiting phrases that are worth avoiding, along with alternatives that you can use instead to promote positivity, collaboration, and solution-focused thinking.

By adopting more positive, solution-focused language, you'll be well on your way to building more collaborative relationships, gaining credibility, and advancing your career.

? 5 Career-limiting Phrases to Avoid at Work – and What to Say Instead?

1. "We’ve always done it this way"

This phrase can make you appear inflexible, resistant to change and closed to new ideas or approaches. In today’s fast-paced work environment, it’s important to demonstrate that you’re open-minded and adaptable to change.

Two examples of what you could say instead:

• "Let's consider some new options and see if there's a better way to approach this." This shows that you're open to new ideas, willing to experiment with different approaches and reflects a desire find creative solutions.
• "I'm interested in exploring different approaches to see if we can improve our results." This shows that you’re curious and focused on achieving better outcomes.

2. "That’s not my problem"

Expressing this sentiment implies that you’re unwilling to take responsibility for issues that arise at work, which can create the perception that you're disinterested, unhelpful, and lacking in accountability. A highly valued quality in the workplace is the willingness to take ownership of problems and actively work towards solutions.

Two examples of what you could say instead:

• "Let me see what I can do to help resolve this issue." This demonstrates a proactive and helpful attitude, and a willingness to take ownership of the problem and help find a solution.
• "I might not be able to solve the problem myself, but I can direct you to someone who can help." By showing that you’re willing to offer assistance (even if you’re unable to solve the problem directly), it demonstrates a resourceful and solution-focused mindset.

3. "That’s not my job" / "That’s not in my job description"

Responding with "That's not my job" or "That's not in my job description" can make you appear rigid, uncooperative, and uncommitted to the success of the team or organization. At work, being willing to take on additional tasks and responsibilities can demonstrate a strong work ethic, flexibility, and even potential for advancement.

Two examples of what you could say instead:

• "I'm happy to help our if you need assistance." This shows that you’re willing to collaborate and assist, even if it falls outside of your job description. It also demonstrates a helpful and team-oriented attitude.
• "I haven't done that before, but I'm interested in learning and seeing if I can help." This shows that you’re open to new experiences and willing to take on new challenges. It also demonstrates a growth mindset and a desire to expand your skills and knowledge.

NOTE: What if you’re at capacity and you’re given additional tasks outside of your scope? Then you could consider responding with: “Thanks for asking. My current workload is at capacity. Can we discuss priorities and see if there’s anything that can be shifted or delayed to accommodate this additional task?"?It’s important to communicate your capacity and boundaries clearly while also demonstrating a willingness to be flexible and work collaboratively.

4. "I can’t do that"

Responding with "I can't do that" suggests that you’re not willing to learn or try new things. At work, there are often tasks or projects that are outside of our comfort zone or that we haven’t done before, and being willing to take them on can demonstrate growth and potential for advancement.

Two examples of what you could say instead:

• "I'm not familiar with that, but I'm willing to learn." This reflects a growth mindset and that you’re both open to new experiences and willing to improve your skills.
• "I'm not able to do that right now, but I can look into it and get back to you." This shows that while you’re not able to take on the task immediately, you're willing to make an effort to find a solution. It also demonstrates a willingness to collaborate and find alternatives.

5. "I'm sorry, but..."

Responding with "I'm sorry, but..." can appear disingenuous and defensive, diminishing the impact of your apology. It suggests a lack of accountability and responsibility for your actions, which could damage your credibility in the eyes of others (including management). At work, there's often a premium placed on effective communication and owning up to errors.

Two examples of what you could say instead:

• "Thank you for bringing this to my attention. Let me see what I can do to make things right." By shifting to appreciation rather than apology, you demonstrate that you appreciate the feedback and are willing to take action to address the issue. It also demonstrates a service-oriented mindset.
• "I apologize for the situation, and I'm working on finding a solution." Where an apology is warranted, do so with professionalism and poise. This shows that you’re taking responsibility for the issue and proactively working towards a resolution.

Remember, effective communication is an ongoing practice, and it takes time and effort to develop the skills and mindset required to succeed. With awareness and the suggestions provided in this article, you can start to reinforce a positive professional reputation, strengthen your relationships and thrive in your career.

Let me know in the comments – what else do we need to add to the ‘forbidden phrases’ list? I'd love to hear from you.??

This is the 7th edition of my recently created LinkedIn Newsletter. If you’d like to be notified each time I publish a new one, make sure you subscribe.

And of course if you found value in what you read, please share with your network. ??

If you enjoyed this article, you might find value in my recently released LinkedIn Learning Course: Nano Tips to Enhance your Communication . I share 10 tips in under 10 minutes to help you drive positive outcomes, deepen relationships and foster collaboration through how you communicate. You can access the videos for FREE by clicking this link . Enjoy!