We have all used certain words over and over again without realizing how annoying they make others. Sometimes it’s a habit; sometimes we believe they make us sound confident or relatable. Yet — we all know how often certain phrases have been said that they no longer make any sense. If you’re trying to be more communicative, without accidentally annoying people, maybe these clichés need to go. Here are 10 phrases that generally turn folks off.
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“It is What It is”
You say this phrase when you feel stuck, or you don’t want to question something. It may sound a natural exit strategy, but it can also sound unhelpful to others. Rather, try to give a nicer solution like “I know this is hard, but we’ll figure it out.” It shows you are listening and that you’re interested in finding a solution.
“Let’s Circle Back”
People say this a lot in the office but it just sounds like an excuse to not have to do anything now. Rather, be specific: “Let’s talk about this after the meeting,” or make sure to fix a time to revisit the issue. It makes you seem more trustworthy and efficient.
“No Offense, But…”
If people hear this, they know there is going to be something nasty coming. And if said in a good spirit, it sounds like an excuse to bash somebody. Rather, just try to say something positively and constructively. For instance, just try “I think we can do something different.”
“It’s Not Rocket Science”
This can sound unfriendly or dismissive if the person you’re speaking to is having a hard time. Better to be like “Hey, let me explain it differently” or “I think we can work it out together”. It is patient and not resentful.
“Everything Happens for A Reason”
People say this to comfort you in bad moments but it doesn’t always work. This can sound dismissive, especially if the other person is upset or doesn’t think so. Instead, try to provide genuine support by being there with them physically.
“Let’s Agree to Disagree”
You say it to close a disagreement, but it also gives the other person the impression that you don’t care. As an escape clause, use: “I know how you feel, even though I do not feel the same way”. It’s a salute to the other person’s perspective, but also a signal that you’re on a different page.
“To Be Honest…”
The second you say that, people might think you weren’t being upfront before. Try skipping it altogether and getting to the point. It sounds more genuine.
“Think Outside The Box”
This phrase gets thrown around in meetings or brainstorming and is already so common that it no longer makes sense. You can encourage your team to be creative, though, by using words that grab people like, “Let’s do some new stuff” or “What’s the coolest way to do this?” It clarifies what you want and gets others thinking differently.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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