4 Toxic Phrases to Remove From Your Workplace Vocabulary

Negativity is all around us. In fact, Harvard just completed research that identifies the mental well-being of young people in the United States is experiencing a tailspin. It is a scary thought, but something that has been well-documented – and well-represented on social media – as of late. And we can’t necessarily blame them. With building work pressure, climate change and political issues, and the onset of an endemic, things have been a little more stressful for everyone as of late. But did you know that negativity can be extrapolated from terminology that doesn’t, at first, seem toxic? That’s right. Some of the terms and phrases you use on a daily basis could be keeping your mind in a negative place. Even worse, in a work setting they can hinder productivity and possibly reflect poorly on you to your coworkers and superiors. Here are 4 toxic phrases to remove from your workplace vocabulary with immediacy.

1. “As Soon As Possible (ASAP)”

This term comes off as a bit annoying in everyday conversation. Not only that, but it indicates that the person requesting something “ASAP” may not know how much you have on your plate already. Whether or not they mean to, it shows a lack of respect for boundaries, especially if they’re asking for something outside of appropriate work hours or your realm of work.  Instead of saying “ASAP,” consider a deadline that may be reasonable for your coworker and ask them what support they may need to complete the task. If the item is time-sensitive, make sure they are aware. If you need them to work outside of appropriate office hours, offer an incentive. This could be something as simple as paid time off, lunch or coffee on you, a gift card, or anything else within your means professionally.  In all instances where it is possible, please ensure your coworker has lead time to work on the project. Just because you forgot about a deadline or could not get your piece of the project figured out with enough lead time doesn’t mean you should make everyone else scramble around you. 

2. “Do not disclose salary information with your coworkers.”

This one stings. Why? Because it has been used to keep people in the dark about their worth – and to prevent fair wages – for decades. It comes in many forms, too. While your boss or human resources representative might not explicitly ask you not to discuss your wages, it could be included in the fine print in a contract or non-disclosure agreement. It could be an overarching understanding that income is a hush-hush topic, and you could be verbally harassed about it. While this phrase comes at us in many unexpected ways, the fact of the matter is that prohibiting workers from discussing their wages is unlawful. According to the National Labor Relations Board, “You may have discussions about wages when not at work, when you are on break, and even during work if employees are permitted to have other non-work conversations. You have these rights whether or not you are represented by a union.” These are your rights. If this phrase is brought up during the hiring process, that can often be a red flag. However, open dialogue about salary is still widely taboo, and pay transparency is not a guaranteed communications policy at all businesses. So it is up to you whether you will let the hiring manager know up front that you are well aware of your rights. This could ruffle some feathers up front, and reduce your chances at getting hired.  But do you really want to work for a place that tries to suppress your rights?

3. “We’ve always done it this way.”

The phrase “we’ve always done it this way” is often used to defend an old process. In many cases, it is utilized to deter new process implementation, when workers may have to learn more or change their skillset. Sometimes, the person using it feels threatened by the other party, who may come off as a threat to them and their competence.   Either way, this phrase shows an aversion to change. Instead of thinking along the lines of “if something isn’t broken, don’t fix it,” you instead need to be wondering if the new process or thought could improve the bottom line for the company overall. Take time to consider whether it may make your team more productive, increase efficiency, or maybe even be an easier workflow. Just because someone is suggesting a new way of doing things does not mean they are trying to take your job or make you feel little in any way.  Even in cases where the old way of operating is very clearly the best option, “we’ve always done it this way” makes the speaker seem close-minded. In these scenarios, it is best to weigh the pros and cons when approaching a change in workflow, especially if it affects multiple people at the company. This may require a meeting, and it may be a quick discussion between parties. Let your cohorts know that you are open to adjustments if they serve the company’s overall goals, and make it a priority to discuss. This approach will show everyone involved that you trust their judgment, and are curious to adopt what works.

4. “That’s impossible.”

Much like the aforementioned phrase, “That’s impossible” or “I can’t” indicate a limiting attitude. While something may, at first, seem impossible, you never want to say this phrase or similar ones out loud, as it may tell others that you are unwilling to brainstorm, cooperate, or otherwise. It is, first and foremost, important to understand where the other party is coming from in their communication. Why would they bring something up if it was not feasible? What are their ideas for execution? Is this idea just a starting point for brainstorming, opening up an entirely new conversation? What new avenues can you work through to make these goals a reality? Instead of immediately jumping to the conclusion that something will be too difficult to maneuver, replace that phrase – both in your mind and out loud – with something like, “Interesting, what are your thoughts on execution?” or “This seems involved, what would next steps look like?” In these instances, you are still communicating that there may be risk or other obstacles, but that you are willing to open your mind to this new idea, event, or otherwise. If you are looking for other ways to prevent negativity in the workplace, check out these 12 powerful ways to protect your energy. Try to avoid any negative reinforcement, and test out these impactful affirmations to keep yourself in a good space mentally.