Things No Newly Hired Manager Should Say to Their Team

By Michael C. Dennis

Saying the wrong thing—especially early on—can create resentment, lower morale, and make it difficult to lead effectively. Here are statements no new manager should ever say to their team.

• "Everyone here is replaceable."
• "I think you’re all overpaid."
• “You’re lucky to have your job.”
• "Effective immediately, we’re increasing work hours by 20% with no additional pay."
• "I’m implementing a skills test because my predecessor had no clue what she was doing."
• "If you don’t like it here, you can leave."
• "Previous leadership made a mess.? I’m here to fix that.”
• "I don’t have to explain my decisions—just do what I say."
• "I’ll be watching everything you do from now on."
• "That’s how we did it at my last job, so we’re doing it that way here."
• “I’m not here to make friends, I’m here to make changes.”
• "Mistakes won’t be tolerated --- period.”
• “I don’t want to hear any complaints from any of you.”

Effective leadership isn’t about asserting dominance—it’s about building trust, respect, and collaboration.? One of my coaching client’s former managers didn’t understand this, and he said all of the things to one or more members of his new team --- in his first week on the job.