3 Phrases to Avoid at Workplaces

Communication in the workplace is a topic that’s been studied in many ways.And here’s a spoiler alert: the data always shows that effective workplace communication is crucial to personal career growth.

Yet even the most seasoned pros can inadvertently undermine themselves by not choosing their words carefully.

Oftentimes, when you try to implement some of the mentioned elements, you may run into challenges. To resolve this very issue, I wrote my book "The Breakthrough Accelerator - Resolve your Biggest Challenge in 4 weeks"- Receive a Free download of this book by Clicking this Link 

“I’m so busy.”

We live in a day and age in which “busyness” is perceived as a sign of success. Think about it: how many times has someone asked how you are and you’ve replied with, “Good, but busy!” 

Yet despite our knee-jerk reaction to brag about how busy we are, studies show that this focus on being in a constant state of activity is actually detrimental to productivity. And when you voice how busy you are to colleagues, it can have an off-putting effect.

 

Maybe your manager has just added something else to your to-do list, a coworker has requested your help with a project, or a client has asked for a deliverable. In any scenario, responding to a request by stating how busy you are is not ideal.

 

Instead of saying, “I’m so busy,” try:

 

I have a lot on my plate right now, and I’d love your help prioritizing.

 

Or

 

Is there a specific deadline I should work toward? I want to be sure I can deliver this when you need it.

 

 

“I don’t know how to do that.”

 

No one is expected to be an expert in everything—even the most perfect co-

worker won’t admit to knowing everything under the sun.

 

So, first things first: get the idea that you are expected to immediately know how to do everything at your company/in your role/in life out of your head.

 

Openly admitting that you don’t know how to do something isn’t necessarily bad—it all depends in your delivery.

 

Qualities like positivity, curiosity and enthusiasm are regularly cited as those hiring managers value most, so displaying those characteristics—even when admitting you aren’t in fact perfect—can go a long way.

 

So, instead of saying, “I don’t know to do that,” try:

 

I’ve never done that before, but I’m eager to learn! If you have any tips or can point me towards a resource you’ve found to be helpful, I’d really appreciate it.

 

“I could be wrong but…”

 

Countless research studies have proven that women tend to communicate in less direct manners than men do, particularly in the workplace.

 

One of the most common examples of this is when women caveat what they’re about to say, so as not to appear too bossy, or to shield themselves from potential dissention or negative feedback.

 

While it may seem like a safe approach, it can be doing more damage than good.

 

When sharing your ideas, instead of saying “I could be wrong, but…” try:

 

Based on the research I’ve done, I think [insert idea here] could be an effective way to accomplish our goal.

 

Or better yet: don’t overthink it and just share your idea!

 

By keeping these three above phrases—and more importantly, the alternatives for each—in mind, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a master of workplace communication!

Have a Results-Oriented Skillset

If you’re in the job market, chances are you’ve come across plenty of job descriptions where the requirements say something like, “must have attention to detail,” or some iteration of that phrase. Some of you might even have this desirable quality listed as a punchy bullet point on your resume.

Attention to detail continues to top the list for desirable qualifications because it clearly sets up expectations on both sides. You know what a prospective employer wants, and said employer also knows what you can bring to the table. Employees who have exceptional attention to detail, frequently require less supervision, and they don’t tend to make costly mistakes.  

Oftentimes, when you try to implement some of the mentioned elements, you may run into challenges. To resolve this very issue, I wrote my book "The Breakthrough Accelerator - Resolve your Biggest Challenge in 4 weeks"- Receive a Free download of this book by Clicking this Link

According to experts, poor attention to detail not only impacts the individual but the organization as well. We live and work in a world where change and innovation are happening at a pace never before seen. It is easy to get sloppy when a lot is being thrown at you and where you are expected to make speedy decisions.

The result of not focusing enough attention on the details can be devastating professionally, and they will also have an impact on the company you work for. If “attention to detail” falls into your “weaknesses category”, and you skip over certain job descriptions for that reason, there are things you can do to improve it.

Get Organized 

 

Whether it’s your calendar, your emails, or even your desk, one of the first steps to sharpening your attention to detail is to get organized. Knowing what’s on your calendar for the week ahead will ensure that you don’t miss any important deadlines or meetings. Moreover, managing your inbox and clearing out digital clutter will allow you to prioritize what’s important. 

Make Lists 

This may sound like a cliché, no brainer because everyone does it — but that’s probably because it works. The good news is, it’s as easy as it sounds. Make a list of what you need to accomplish and check each item off as you complete it. And don’t think this is an amateur move. Everyone (even surgeons and pilots) needs a list, a well-designed checklist will lead to better outcomes.

Focus – Don’t Try To Multitask 

Attention is a finite internal resource, and research tells us time and again that multitasking is a myth and we’re not really good at it. While multitasking is often glorified, the truth is it splits our focus and diminishes our attention to detail. To maintain your focus, refer to your list (remember) and focus on one task at a time. 

The Power of Effective Communication

There are good communicators. And then there are amazing, outstanding, powerful communicators who will have you on the edge of your seat with their riveting delivery. But what makes the difference between a decent communicator and someone who will instill awe in the people they interact with?

There are several, sometimes subtle habits that master communicators have truly understood and leverage on a regular basis.

 

If you’re looking to elevate your own communication skills, adopting these habits will help you get to the next level. But it’s important to remember to be authentic and not try to be someone you’re not — it’s not about emulation but learning how to unleash your own strengths and style.

Oftentimes, when you try to implement some of the mentioned strategies, you may run into challenges. To resolve this very issue, I wrote my book "The Breakthrough Accelerator - Resolve your Biggest Challenge in 4 weeks"- Receive your Free download of my book by Clicking this Link

 

The tendency to lean in a particular direction is heavily influenced by personality type and this fact alone is often overlooked. When in doubt or ignorant about your communication style it’s easy to overcompensate or adopt a style that doesn’t suit you. The best communicators are comfortable in who they are and their personalities. They are able to authentically connect with their audience because they have first authentically connected with themself. However, if you’re ready to crush it while also staying true to yourself, here are a few pointers to level up your own communication game. 

Leverage your personal experience - There is a reason people say what is most personal is most universal. It turns out that your past experiences that don’t seem immediately relevant or some of the insights you learned the hard way can end up being your edge when transmitting the information. 

Continuously honing your craft and providing value - Master communicators love analyzing their communication habits, strengths, and areas of improvement. Some good communicators enjoy hearing themselves talk. But outstanding communicators transcend their own experience to focus on the experience of the audience they are addressing. They have a value-first mindset. 

Master communicators are amazing listeners - Here’s a secret about the best communicators: They sometimes spend more time listening than talking — and that’s what makes them excel when they do speak. In order to talk about things that are of the utmost importance to others, they have to first be able to form those thoughts. Those thoughts can come from spending adequate time receiving information from others, thinking deeply and being able to see what others are missing. 

So, you can breathe a sigh of relief knowing you don’t need to try to be like the very topmost expert communicators to nail your next presentation and you can forge your own path to create value and earn the respect of your clients and peers.

Zoom Call Etiquettes to Keep in Mind

 

Now that we all have pretty much adjusted to the “new normal,” Zoom calls have become less of a temporary solution and more of a permanent fixture in many workplaces. And while Zoom may seem pretty straightforward, it’s important to start taking these video calls seriously, if you want to keep moving your career forward. 

 

Oftentimes, when you try to implement some of the mentioned elements, you may run into challenges. To resolve this very issue, I wrote my book "The Breakthrough Accelerator - Resolve your Biggest Challenge in 4 weeks"- Receive a Free download of this book by Clicking this Link 

 

Here are 5 common mistakes you might be making on Zoom to sabotage your success and how to fix them -  

 

  

1.Thinking every conversation needs to be a Zoom call. Think back to your days working in the office — did you take time out of your workday to schedule a meeting for every single discussion or question that came up? If you did, you surely found that you didn’t have enough hours left in the day to get your regular work done. 

 

Zoom is a great communication tool, especially if you’re working from home — but it should be used sparingly. Save it for important meetings or training sessions. A lot of quick meetings can be had over a simple phone call. Or, if it’s just a quick question that needs to be answered, you may even be able to resolve it over email or a messaging platform, such as Slack.  

 

 

2. Not muting yourself. This one is especially important if you are in a meeting with lots of people. It can be very distracting for the person who’s presenting when they hear every cough, rustling of papers, or child in the background of everyone’s homes. Therefore, the only person who should have their microphone turned on is the one who’s talking.  

 

Given how many of us are working at home with others (dogs, cats, kids, loud significant others) it’s likely best if you aren’t talking, to just mute so you don’t accidentally have something you’d rather not share broadly go out live over the internet. Just keep your mic turned off until it’s your turn to speak or you have a question. 

 

3. Not taking video meetings seriously. When you are attending a meeting in person, you give the person who is leading or presenting your full attention. It would be rude to be on your phone or work on something else when you are supposed to be focused. The same should apply to video calls. It can be tempting to multitask while on a Zoom call because you are in the comfort of your own home and think no one can see you — but make no mistake when your camera is on, your lack of attention is more obvious than you think. 

 

4. Not turning your camera on. It may be tempting to turn your camera off during a Zoom meeting, especially if there are a lot of people present and you want the freedom to work on other things. However, this could be a huge mistake. There are very few circumstances when it is appropriate for your camera to be turned off. The purpose of hosting a meeting via Zoom is to provide a sense of normalcy and community with your teammates, partners, clients or whoever.  

 

5. Sharing more than just your screen. This innocent mistake could result in some very embarrassing situations. Sharing your screen is common practice in a Zoom meeting, especially if you are leading the meeting or presenting something with the group. However, it is crucial to prepare for this ahead of time, so that you only share what you intend to. 

 

Make sure you turn off all notifications. The last thing you want while sharing your screen is to get a message from a coworker or friend that might not be appropriate or something you want the whole team to see. You also don’t want to receive any notifications for emails, social media, or the like.