Working World

Most people know better than to tell their boss or a customer, “Drop dead!” Even with the greatest provocation, most resist inflammatory statements. Still, there are ordinary words that are not useful in a work setting. Jack Griffin, in his book How to Say It at Work, lists 50 words that can be toxic. My favorites include:

• Non-negotiable. Why is anything completely beyond discussion? Even if something is, you might want to “revisit” it.

• Blame. Yes, accountability is important, but blaming is not constructive.

• Inadequate. Says who? Perhaps it was the best response under the circumstances. It is better not to label.

• Cheated. This sounds accusatory. Maybe there is a legitimate reason for something that we don’t understand; maybe we lack the full picture.

• Unfair. Life is not fair. Many work situations lack fairness, but don’t whine. Instead, work into a position where you set the rules. Then make sure everything is fair.

The point is not, Griffin says, to avoid reality or unpleasantness. Rather, use words to create opportunities, not dead ends. Choosing words carefully can change the dynamic of a situation by preventing defensiveness. It can also change how you, the speaker, view a set of circumstances. Learn to see not problems, but challenges and opportunities.