10 Things Smart People Won't Say

There are some things you simply never want to say at work.

These phrases carry special power: they have an uncanny ability to make you look bad even when the words are true.

Worst of all, theres no taking them back once they slip out.

Im not talking about shocking slips of the tongue, off-color jokes, or politically incorrect faux pas. These arent the only ways to make yourself look bad.

Often its the subtle remarksthe ones that paint us as incompetent and unconfidentthat do the most damage.

No matter how talented you are or what youve accomplished, there are certain phrases that instantly change the way people see you and can forever cast you in a negative light. These phrases are so loaded with negative implications that they undermine careers in short order.

1. This is the way its always been done. Technology-fueled change is happening so fast that even a six-month-old process could be outdated. Saying this is the way its always been done not only makes you sound lazy and resistant to change, but it could make your boss wonder why you havent tried to improve things on your own. If you really are doing things the way theyve always been done, theres almost certainly a better way.

2. Its not my fault. Its never a good idea to cast blame. Be accountable. If you had any roleno matter how smallin whatever went wrong, own it. If not, offer an objective, dispassionate explanation of what happened. Stick to the facts, and let your boss and colleagues draw their own conclusions about whos to blame. The moment you start pointing fingers is the moment people start seeing you as someone who lacks accountability for their actions. This makes people nervous. Some will avoid working with you altogether, and others will strike first and blame you when something goes wrong.

3. I cant. I cant is its not my faults twisted sister. People dont like to hear I cant because they think it means I wont. Saying I cant suggests that youre not willing to do what it takes to get the job done. If you really cant do something because you truly lack the necessary skills , you need to offer an alternative solution. Instead of saying what you cant do, say what you can do. For example, instead of saying I cant stay late tonight, say I can come in early tomorrow morning. Will that work? Instead of I cant run those numbers, say I dont yet know how to run that type of analysis. Is there someone who can show me so that I can do it on my own next time?

4. Its not fair. Everyone knows that life isnt fair. Saying its not fair suggests that you think life is supposed to be fair, which makes you look immature and nave. If you dont want to make yourself look bad, you need to stick to the facts, stay constructive, and leave your interpretation out of it. For instance, you could say, I noticed that you assigned Ann that big project I was hoping for. Would you mind telling me what went into that decision? Id like to know why you thought I wasnt a good fit, so that I can work on improving those skills.

5. Thats not in my job description. This often sarcastic phrase makes you sound as though youre only willing to do the bare minimum required to keep getting a paycheck, which is a bad thing if you like job security. If your boss asks you to do something that you feel is inappropriate for your position (as opposed to morally or ethically inappropriate), the best move is to complete the task eagerly. Later, schedule a conversation with your boss to discuss your role in the company and whether your job description needs an update. This ensures that you avoid looking petty. It also enables you and your boss to develop a long-term understanding of what you should and shouldnt be doing.

6. This may be a silly idea /Im going to ask a stupid question. These overly passive phrases instantly erode your credibility. Even if you follow these phrases with a great idea, they suggest that you lack confidence, which makes the people youre speaking to lose confidence in you. Dont be your own worst critic. If youre not confident in what youre saying, no one else will be either. And, if you really dont know something, say, I dont have that information right now, but Ill find out and get right back to you.

7. Ill try. Just like the word think, try sounds tentative and suggests that you lack confidence in your ability to execute the task. Take full ownership of your capabilities. If youre asked to do something, either commit to doing it or offer an alternative, but dont say that youll try because it sounds like you wont try all that hard.

8. This will only take a minute. Saying that something only takes a minute undermines your skills and gives the impression that you rush through tasks. Unless youre literally going to complete the task in 60 seconds, feel free to say that it wont take long, but dont make it sound as though the task can be completed any sooner than it can actually be finished.

9. I hate this job. The last thing anyone wants to hear at work is someone complaining about how much they hate their job. Doing so labels you as a negative person and brings down the morale of the group. Bosses are quick to catch on to naysayers who drag down morale, and they know that there are always enthusiastic replacements waiting just around the corner.

10. Hes lazy/incompetent/a jerk. There is no upside to making a disparaging remark about a colleague. If your remark is accurate, everybody already knows it, so theres no need to point it out. If your remark is inaccurate, youre the one who ends up looking like a jerk. There will always be rude or incompetent people in any workplace, and chances are that everyone knows who they are. If you dont have the power to help them improve or to fire them, then you have nothing to gain by broadcasting their ineptitude. Announcing your colleagues incompetence comes across as an insecure attempt to make you look better. Your callousness will inevitably come back to haunt you in the form of your coworkers negative opinions of you.

Bringing It All Together

These phrases have a tendency to sneak up on you, so youre going to have to catch yourself until youve solidified the habit of not saying them.

What other phrases should be on this list? Please share your thoughts in the comments section below as I learn just as much from you as you do from me.