I found this LinkedIn article today
from Ilya Pozin (Inc and Forbes Columnist and Founder of Open Me and Ciplex) and I couldn't help
but share it. It is wise to ensure that you know which phrases "NOT TO USE"
at the workplace, if you want to move up the ladder.
You want to be successful. Everyone does. But your actual words might be
undermining your chances of success. The things you say in the office, no
matter how innocuous they seem to you, might be knocking you down the career
ladder and putting the top position you dream about out of reach.
Your career is too important to be tanked by a few negative phrases. Here
are the seven things you should strike from your workplace vocabulary if you
want to achieve the success you richly deserve:
1. “That’s not in my job description.”
When you accepted your current position, you had a good idea of what the
responsibilities and workload of the role would entail. Throughout the months
or years since you settled into your job, however, your role has expanded and
changed shape. Some of these changes have probably been good, while others have
made you wish for simpler times. When a boss or manager piles another
responsibility on your already sore shoulders, it might be tempting to pull out
this classic gem of work avoidance.
The better option, however, is to schedule a time to talk to your boss
about your role. A specific conversation about your place in the organization
is a good time to bring up the particulars of your job description, not when
you’re asked to get something accomplished. No matter how stressed you are or
how valid the complaint, dropping this phrase only makes you look lazy and
unmotivated.
2. “It can’t be done.”
Throwing in the towel makes you look like a quitter -- and quitters don’t
get promoted. Instead of giving up on a project entirely, frame your response
in terms of alternative ways to get the work accomplished. Very little is truly
impossible, and most managers and executives want forward-thinking problem
solvers to climb the corporate ladder. If you offer solutions instead of giving
up, you’ll be seen as a valuable member of the team.
3. “It’s not my fault.”
No one wants to work with a blame shifter. After all, it’s just a matter of
time before this person eventually shifts the blame onto you. Take ownership of
your mistakes instead of pointing out where others have fallen short. Admitting
to a mistake shows character and the ability to learn and grow from problems.
Pointing the finger at someone else strongly implies you’ll never truly learn
from your errors.
4. “This will just take a minute.”
Unless something will literally take only 60 seconds, don’t overpromise and
underdeliver. Saying something will only take “a minute” also has the side
effect of undermining your efforts. Most likely the reason the particular task
won’t take long is due to the benefit of your professional experience and
acumen. By saying it will “just” take a minute, you're shortchanging what you
bring to the table.
5. “I don’t need any help.”
The rugged lone wolf type might be the hero of most action movies, but
they’re unlikely to become the hero at your company. You might think you can go
it alone on a project or in your career, but teamwork is essential. Being able
to work with others is the hallmark of a good leader; you’re unlikely to climb
your career ladder always flying solo.
6. “It’s not fair.”
Life isn’t fair, and often your career won’t be as well. Instead of
complaining, you should look for specific and actionable workarounds to the problems
you encounter. Is it unfair a coworker got to run point on the project you
wanted? Maybe, but instead of complaining, work harder and go the extra mile.
Finding a solution will always be preferable in your professional life to
whining about a problem.
7. “This is the way it’s always been done.”
Doing things the way they’ve always been done is no way to run a business.
Just ask some of the companies which toed the line, accepted the status quo,
and went under. Adapting to an ever-changing marketplace is really the only way
to survive in an economy constantly being disrupted by the next big thing.
You don’t have to be a slave to the trends, but you also can’t stick your
head in the sand and hope things go back to normal. Instead, come up with
creative solutions to new problems and innovate, and you’ll soon be in the
driver’s seat taking your organization into the future.
Everyone wants to be successful, so make sure your words aren’t holding you
back. These seven phrases are career kryptonite -- by avoiding them, you can
fly into your future and become a successful superstar.
What do you
think? What phrases do you avoid on the job? Share in the comments!
