10 Phrases Great Leaders Never Utter 

“One day I will find the right words, and they will be simple,” wrote Jack Kerouac in The Dharma Bums. Finding the right words can be a tremendous challenge, even for the most articulate leader. Unless you want your message to self-destruct upon receipt, choose your words wisely, and never utter these phrases to your staff.

I’m the boss…
The best leaders lead by example in a collaborative environment. They bring minds together a demonstrate how to interact in a manner that makes everyone on the team better. This iron-fisted phrase means, “I will demand your respect, rather than earn it.”

I don’t like surprises (or bad news)…
Sometimes phrased as, “Don’t bring me any surprises,” this phrase squashes communication lines. Although the leader might intend to convey a meaning, “Keep me informed or keep me in the loop,” to the employee this phrase says, “Don’t tell me the truth; just tell me what I want to hear.”

Failure is not an option…
“Failure is not an option” might have worked in the movie Apollo 13, but in the office, it, well, fails as a motivating tool. Failure is an integral part of success. To never fail is to never try. And you want your employees to try, right? Do not make them fear the wrath of failure so greatly that they become complacent, forgo creativity or refuse to take risks. Amelia Earhart said, “Women, like men, should try to do the impossible. And when they fail, their failure should be a challenge to others.”

I give up…
Wait, what? If the leader gives up, who is in charge? As the leader, you very often light the way for your team members to follow you down what often seems like very dark corridors.

I’ll do it myself, or I have to do everything myself!
If you don’t have faith in your employees, why are they on your team? You do not have to—nor should you—do everything yourself. The best leaders delegate with confidence and know how to manage expectations, theirs and those of their employees, so that projects succeed.

Don’t take this wrong…
This tiny phrase packs a large negative punch. First, you just implied that you might not be speaking clearly enough for them to understand. Second, you implied that the team member is not intelligent enough to understand or follow what you are about to say. Third, you have set the stage for miscommunication all around. Excellent leaders should be articulate enough to communicate clearly with their employees without apologizing up front for either party’s inability to understand.

I don’t take vacations…
Translation: I don’t have a life, and neither should you. Leaders that brag about not taking vacations, or that talk about how much they work, send a message to others that the only things worthwhile in life involve punching the clock. Overworked employees, and leaders, eventually run out of creative steam. Everyone needs, and deserves, downtime.

I don’t have time…
This response to a request says the leader does not have control over her own schedule or that the request is not worthy of becoming a priority. Instead say, “I will find the time,” or “let’s make time.” It makes team members feel valued and strengthens the relationship between the leader and her team.

Let’s Wait a While…
Are you waiting for the ideal time to change the way you have been doing things, or waiting for the perfect time to start a new project? There is rarely a perfect time to begin anything, therefore, why would you put off a good employee with a potentially great idea? Furthermore, when you roll with the changes, you encourage your employees to do so as well.

Don’t ask Questions…
Smart leaders desire feedback from their teams. Of course, leaders want their employees to follow them, but not as lemmings to the sea. Explain your position or your new plan, let them digest the information, then they ask for their feedback and input. The best leaders also ask their own questions, a lot! Be inquisitive and expect the same of your employees.

When words fail you, as they sometimes will, follow Mark Twain’s advice, “It is better to keep your mouth closed and let people think you are a fool than to open it and remove all doubt.” Take your time. Select your words carefully.