Words and phrases that might make some people think less of you professionally

Radio host Bernard Meltzer is famously quoted as having said, “Before you speak, ask yourself if what you are going to say is true, is kind, is necessary, is helpful. If the answer is no, maybe what you are about to say should be left unsaid.” I find that this is as true in the workplace as it is in personal life.

That said, here are five unhelpful words and phrases anyone in the workforce should consider removing from their professional vocabulary.

1. I can’t. “Whether you believe you can do a thing or not, you are right,” Henry

Ford was quoted as saying in 1947, and it holds up even today. I have my own version. Whenever I’m asked for my best advice, I always say, “‘I can’t’ is rarely accurate. ‘I choose not to’ is often the most accurate.” Most of the time, what you can or cannot do is a choice. Try replacing the negative “I can’t” with the positive “How can I?” and see what changes.

2. Very. This one is just lazy, but more to the point, it usually doesn’t mean anything. There are far more effective adjectives and modifiers that can be used in place of “very.” Rather than say someone is very capable, describe them as skillful, or swap “very tired” for “exhausted.”

3. That’s not my job. The inherent problem with “that’s not my job” is that it often implies a task is beneath you. Even if you feel it is, consider a more productive response that contributes to accomplishing the intended goal. Something else to consider is that being asked to handle work that’s outside your scope of responsibilities could lead to bigger opportunities down the line.

4. I don’t have time. News flash: Everyone has the same amount of time in a day. Telling a coworker, boss or client you don’t have time for something is rude, and it can cast an unflattering light on your time-management skills. Alternate phrases include “Can we discuss this when I’m finished with the project I’m working on?” or “I’m all booked up today, but tell me when you need this and I’ll let you know if I can take care of it.”

5. I don’t know. On its own, “I don’t know” is a dead end. A better approach is to provide the information you do know. It’s the difference between “I don’t know when the shipment will arrive” and “The shipment was scheduled to arrive on Monday; I will follow up with the carrier for an update and come back to you by the end of the day.”

Language is what we use to create and foster relationships. Being aware of, and thoughtful about, how we use it and how it affects others can be a total game-changer.