{"id":9466,"date":"2019-10-01T14:55:15","date_gmt":"2019-10-01T12:55:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bmkedev.wpengine.com\/?p=9466"},"modified":"2021-11-03T14:47:01","modified_gmt":"2021-11-03T12:47:01","slug":"phrases-killing-chances-promotion","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/phrases-killing-chances-promotion","title":{"rendered":"Phrases that are Killing Your Chances for a Promotion"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Words you say in the workplace matter more than you think. At any given time, something you say might open doors for you or fasten the lock on the closed doors. Even when you don\u2019t mean it, something you say can be misconstrued by people who matter in your career path.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sometimes it\u2019s phrases that seem simple and \u2018harmless\u2019 that do most harm. You have to be careful to get your point across without being negative, offensive or self-serving.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here are some phrases that are killing your chances of a promotion that you must steer clear from.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-9468\" src=\"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Different-ideals_1200BY630.png\" alt=\"phrases killing chances promotion\" width=\"1200\" height=\"630\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Different-ideals_1200BY630.png 1200w, https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Different-ideals_1200BY630-378x198.png 378w, https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Different-ideals_1200BY630-1024x538.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Different-ideals_1200BY630-770x404.png 770w, https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Different-ideals_1200BY630-600x315.png 600w, https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Different-ideals_1200BY630-390x205.png 390w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_81 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-69f3e7f2225be\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"ez-toc-cssicon\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-69f3e7f2225be\"  aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/phrases-killing-chances-promotion\/#%E2%80%9CSorry%E2%80%9D\" >\u201cSorry\u201d<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/phrases-killing-chances-promotion\/#%E2%80%9CHonestly%E2%80%9D\" >\u201cHonestly\u201d<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/phrases-killing-chances-promotion\/#%E2%80%9CI_Think%E2%80%9D\" >\u201cI Think\u201d<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/phrases-killing-chances-promotion\/#%E2%80%9CYes_But%E2%80%9D\" >\u201cYes, But\u201d<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/phrases-killing-chances-promotion\/#%E2%80%9CJust%E2%80%9D\" >&#8220;Just&#8221;<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/phrases-killing-chances-promotion\/#Mind_What_You_Say\" >Mind What You Say<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"%E2%80%9CSorry%E2%80%9D\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cSorry\u201d<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Transparency is good in any relationship and interaction. However, simply saying sorry won\u2019t cut it in the workplace. When apologizing for something follow up with a solution. Something like; \u201cI dropped the ball, but this is what I am doing to fix it.\u201d&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"%E2%80%9CHonestly%E2%80%9D\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cHonestly\u201d<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How do you feel when you ask a question and someone starts with \u201c..honestly\u2026\u201d? It feels like this person is about to give a negative opinion about the subject matter. Now imagine that in the workplace. It can create the impression that you are criticizing someone else and like you are stepping on others to make yourself look good. Just tell your truth without announcing that it is the truth.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"%E2%80%9CI_Think%E2%80%9D\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cI Think\u201d<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Any time you use the phrase \u201cI Think\u201d you immediately begin to lose credibility, especially if you are not an expert in the subject matter. Instead, say something like, \u201c Based on my experience, I would recommend\u2026.,\u201d \u201cBased on market research\u2026,\u201d It shows that you are not just saying something for the sake of saying and you actually have a verifiable backup. If you are aiming for a higher position, you will not get there on frivolous statements.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"%E2%80%9CYes_But%E2%80%9D\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cYes, But\u201d<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Starting a response with \u201cYes, but\u201d is always combative. It puts the listener on the defensive mode There is nothing wrong with asking for clarification or preempting issues that might arise. The word \u2018but\u2019 comes with a negative connotation and seem like you are challenging the person you are talking to. Just avoid the phrase completely. Try another approach when you want to bring certain issue to attention. For instance, you can say, \u201cI understand your point of view. Here are issues that may arise and this is how we can approach a solution.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"%E2%80%9CJust%E2%80%9D\"><\/span>&#8220;Just&#8221;<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The word &#8216;just&#8217; can be quite loaded. It might indicate lack of importance or value in something or someone. For instance a statement like,&#8221;He is just an intern&#8221; diminishes your confidence in the person in question and gives a indication that that&#8217;s all the person is and they have nothing more to offer. For example when as a manager you tell your direct report,&#8221;I just want this completed by COB.&#8221; This takes a heavily negative approach that might be interpreted wrong.<\/p>\n<p>Instead, the manager can say something like;&#8221;Be sure to complete this task by COB.&#8221; That is simple and direct.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Mind_What_You_Say\"><\/span>Mind What You Say<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>While there is no manual or a glossary of &#8216;things not to say&#8217;, you need to be careful how you carry yourself in the workplace. Apply general common sense, <a class=\"article-body-links\"href=\"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/emotional-intelligence-workplace\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">emotional intelligence<\/a> and your knowledge of the <a class=\"article-body-links\"href=\"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/company-culture\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">office culture<\/a> to what you say and how you say. This is obviously something you need to practice and learn over time. Good news is the more you become aware of it and practice to be tactical, the better you become and more doors open for you.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Words you say in the workplace matter more than you think. At any given time, something you say might open doors for you or fasten the lock on the closed doors. Even when you don\u2019t mean it, something you say can be misconstrued by people who matter in your career path.&nbsp; Sometimes it\u2019s phrases that [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12,"featured_media":9467,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"content_author":[],"class_list":["post-9466","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-career-development"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9466","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/12"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9466"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9466\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/9467"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9466"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9466"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9466"},{"taxonomy":"content_author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/content_author?post=9466"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}