There are certain things that can make you seem less confident at work which can result in you being dismissed or not included in important conversations when you have a lot to contribute.
Often, these sentences or expressions are a habit we’ve picked up throughout our life from feelings of uncertainty or not wanting to say the wrong thing. We can break those habits by taking note every time we do use a certain expression and thinking about our sentences before we say them in the future. It may feel unnatural at first but over time you will create a new habit of not using them.
Below are four sentences you should try to avoid using and what you can replace them with to come across as confident and resourceful in the workplace.
“Just wanted to follow up on this” “Just wanted to make sure you saw this”
Using the word “just” at the beginning of any sentence immediately makes you seem smaller.
Instead, you can simply say, “following up on this” or “bumping this back to the top” or “have you had time to think about/look over…”
“Sorry, let me just say this quick” “Sorry to bother you” “I’m sorry for reaching out again”
If you are ever trying to share an idea or take a bit of time with someone to discuss a matter, and kick it off with an apology, people will immediately think you don’t have faith in your own idea or may get annoyed that you are approaching them because you’ve put that thought in their mind.
If you tell someone that you are “bothering” them, they will likely feel bothered even if they don’t realize it.
Instead, you can say “An idea I have is….” or “Can we talk about … or is there a better time?”
“Does that make sense?”
If every time you share our idea or feelings about something you follow it with “does that make sense” ir “do you understand,” you’re subconsciously telling those around you that you don’t trust your own ideas or voice.
Instead, say what you need to say and let those around you ask clarifying questions if they need to. It can go unspoken that if they have questions, they can ask you.
“Oh no problem, I can take care of that” or saying yes to everything
This takes balance, because although you don’t want to take on every project or volunteer for everything, you also don’t want to say no to everything either. The important thing to remember is your time is valuable and you don’t want to burn yourself out.
Volunteering for everything also gives others the impression that you are the go to person, and eventually they may stop asking and start assuming you will do anything and everything.
Instead, really evaluate the time you have and only volunteer for things when you have enough time in your schedule to take it on but still give yourself a work/life balance. Make sure your skills also align with what the task needs. If it’s not something you feel confident in accomplishing, let someone else take it on.