Time to
Stop Using These 15 Cringeworthy Phrases at Work
They're misused and overused--so make sure you stop using these
all-too-common words and phrases.
It's natural
to fall into conversational habits, but if you're hoping to communicate effectively, or be taken
seriously, that can be a real problem. Use a certain word over and over and
that word soon loses all meaning. Use a certain phrase over and over and you
start to sound tedious. Use a buzzword over and over and you just sound pretentious.
Let's make sure that doesn't happen to you.
Here are some
overused words and phrases you should retire from your vocabulary:
1. "Expect the unexpected"
Forget the
logic issue; how can I expect something I am not able to expect? What employees
hear you say is, "I expect this to go well. If it doesn't, it's because
you weren't sufficiently prepared or didn't react quickly enough. Either way,
it's all onyou because, hey, I told you to expect
the unexpected."
Here's a better approach. Say, "If
something happens we didn't plan for, here are steps to take. If you run into
something you aren't sure how to deal with, call me and we'll figure it out
together."
Instead of stating a platitude, provide a
framework for how decisions will be made and problems will be overcome.
2. "With all due respect"
Go watch this. I'll wait.
Yep. Let's move on.
3. "That's just Joe being Joe"
Some people like to use a person's name
twice--especially their own--in the same sentence as a way to justify unusual
or unacceptable behavior. For example: "What can I say? That's just Joe
being Joe." (Or even worse, "What can I say? That's just me being
me.")
Whenever you say a person's name twice as a
way to describe them, you're actually making an excuse for behavior you would
never tolerate from someone else.
And everyone knows it.
4. "No problem"
We're all striving to delight customers,
right? So when you ask a server for your dressing on the side, does "No
problem" make you feel delighted, or like you're kind of a pain but the
server is gracious enough to overlook it?
Your customers and employees feel the same
way when you say "No problem" to their requests.
5. "At the end of the day"
"At the end of the day" probably
started out as a different way of saying "in summary." Now it's
filler, like "um" and "you know" and, well,
"well."
Whenever you're tempted to start a sentence with
"At the end of the day," just skip ahead and start with your point
instead.
Then maybe we'll actually pay attention your
point.
6. "It's on my radar"
No, it's not, or you would have already done
something about it. "It's on my radar" is like saying, "I know
you want (that), but it's soooo not a priority for me."
7. "Disruptive"
Yes, digital cameras were a disruptive
technology. Ask companies like Kodak and Fuji. DVRs were a disruptive
technology. Ask anyone who once made VCRs.
That new menu you created, or new system of
checkout, or new way to manage customer accounts? Those are not disruptive: At
worst, they're merely different; at best, they're somewhat innovative.
Use the
word disruptive to describe your products or services and you
purchase a one-way ticket to the Land of Hype--a place where everyone speaks
and no one listens.
8. "Think outside the box"
This one is often code-speak for, "I
want you to do (this) but I can't give you any money or resources or
time, so if you don't get it done it's your fault because you weren't
creative enough."
9. "Transparent"
Saying
"transparent" is like saying "if I'm honest ... " The
listener thinks, "OK,now you're going to be honest. But
sometimes you're not?"
You either are transparent or you're not. If
you are, it goes without saying. People already know.
And if you're not, you might also be trying
to ...
10. "Manage expectations"
Of course, you would never tell a customer
you're going to manage his or her expectations, but when you tell employees to
manage someone's expectations, in a way you're telling them to, even if ever so
slightly, be manipulative or sly or in some way less than truthful.
Then you've
stepped onto, well, a term that could be on the list: a slippery slope.
Why not set, and then try to meet,
expectations? That's a lot better than "managing" them.
11. "Take this offline"
Unless you would rather I
embarrass, scold, or make you look stupid in front of everyone else.
12. "Give 120 percent"
I know; this one is just a way of indicating
extra effort is required. But what kind of effort? What do you want me to do
more of? What do you want me to do faster, or cheaper, or better?
Explain the situation. Tell me why something
is critical or important. Then tell me what I need to do to overcome the problem
or meet the challenge.
I won't work hard for a platitude, but I will
work hard when I understand the importance of my effort.
13. "It is what it is"
Really? Wow. I
had no idea. You are quite insightful. Descartes is officially jealous.
14. "I see what you're saying"
In fact, you
don't really see what I'm saying because otherwise you would agree with
what I'm saying. Beginning a sentence with, "I hear you ... " is like
a condescending pat on the head.
If you disagree, just say so. You're going to
anyway.
15. "It's all good"
When someone says this ... it never actually
is.
BY JEFF
HADEN
http://www.inc.com/jeff-haden/want-to-be-taken-seriously-then-stop-using-these-15-cringeworthy-phrases.html?cid=em01016week29a
No comments:
Post a Comment