6 phrases leaders must avoid

Imagine this: a senior leader stands before their team during a pivotal meeting. As tensions rise over an unresolved issue, the leader sighs and says, ‘let’s not fight this’. The energy in the room plummets, and a crucial opportunity for inspiration evaporates. Words, no matter how small, carry the power to ignite motivation – or extinguish it entirely.
In leadership, words are not just tools but bridges that connect individuals, build trust and foster innovation. Misused, they become barriers that stifle creativity, diminish morale and breed disengagement. Here are six phrases every leader must banish from their vocabulary, as also the lexicon of their teams — and the mindsets and skills they must master to transform these moments into opportunities for growth.
1. Stop saying or entertaining: ‘that’s not my job’. Instead, embrace ownership and collaboration
When leaders or professionals shrug off responsibility with this phrase, it signals a lack of accountability. Teams falter when members fail to step outside their defined roles. It conveys a lack of willingness to step up, which can alienate colleagues and erode trust. Instead, leaders should demonstrate flexibility and a solutions-oriented mindset.
Tagline to master: Great leaders never see boundaries; they see opportunities.
A successful entrepreneur once shared with me how, in the early days of their startup, their willingness to personally solve problems beyond their expertise – like fixing a broken website – instilled a culture of ownership in their team.
Adopt the mindset that success is a shared responsibility. Build skills in proactivity, collaboration and empathy to foster a ‘we’re all in this together’ culture.
2. Stop saying or entertaining: ‘we’ve always done it this way’. Instead, champion innovation and adaptability
This phrase is the death knell of progress. It allows people to cling to comfort zones and hinders creativity. It can create a culture of stagnation, making the organisation less adaptable to evolving markets or challenges. Instead, leaders should champion curiosity and openness to new ideas.
Tagline to master: Tradition has its place, but innovation drives the future.
Consider Netflix’s transformation from DVD rentals to a global streaming giant. Had its leaders clung to old models, they might have faded into irrelevance like their competitor, Blockbuster.
Embrace adaptability as a core value. Cultivate skills in critical thinking, creativity and change management to reimagine processes and explore new possibilities.
3. Stop saying or entertaining: ‘this place / these people will never change’. Instead, inspire optimism and problem-solving
This expression conveys apathy and resignation, and resignation in the face of adversity demoralises teams. Leaders are expected to inspire hope and action, even in difficult situations. A leader’s ability to reframe challenges into opportunities can ignite action. Hence, focus on exploring opportunities to improve.
Tagline to master: Challenges are stepping stones, not roadblocks.
During a major industry disruption, a tech CEO rallied their demoralised team by reframing losses as learning moments. Together, they innovated a product that became a market leader.
Replace resignation with resilience. Master problem-solving, resilience and inspiring communication to tackle adversity with determination.
4. Stop saying or entertaining: ‘you’re wrong’. Instead, foster empathy and constructive dialogue
Dismissing ideas outright stifles collaboration while constructive dialogue invites diverse perspectives and fosters trust. This phrase can come across as confrontational and dismissive. Plus, it shuts down dialogue and can damage relationships. Instead, leaders should use constructive language like, ‘I see it differently’, or ask questions to better understand the other perspective.
Tagline to master: Agreement isn’t the goal; understanding is.
I remember in my times, in a heated boardroom debate when we were handling a do or die project. One day, one leader chose to say, ‘Help me understand your perspective’ instead of rejecting an idea. This simple shift turned conflict into consensus.
Shift from confrontation to collaboration. Develop active listening, conflict resolution and persuasive communication skills to navigate disagreements gracefully.
5. Stop saying or entertaining: ‘I don’t have time for this’. Instead, prioritise with empathy and respect
This phrase alienates and devalues others. It also communicates that someone or something is unimportant, which can be demotivating and disrespectful. Leaders can set boundaries without dismissing concerns. Hence, leaders should prioritise empathetic communication and, if necessary, reschedule or delegate tactfully.
Tagline to master: Time is limited, but respect is infinite.
A busy executive once responded to a junior employee’s request with, ‘Let’s schedule a time to discuss this properly’. That simple shift in tone preserved respect while managing priorities.
Master time management, delegation and empathetic communication to balance competing demands without sacrificing respect.
6. Stop saying or entertaining: ‘no offence, but…’. Instead, lead with directness and tact
This phrase often precedes unnecessary criticism, creating defensiveness. It undermines the leader’s ability to give feedback constructively. Instead, reframe criticism with tact, focusing on facts and actionable suggestions rather than prefacing it with disclaimers.
Tagline to master: Honest feedback is an art, not an attack.
I have witnessed some really good managers start a feedback session by recognising strengths before addressing areas for improvement. This approach preserved trust and made the feedback actionable.
Refine your emotional intelligence, feedback delivery and rapport-building skills to give honest feedback without alienating others.
Words are the seeds of a leadership philosophy and organisational culture. As a leader, business owner or professional, your choice of language can inspire or inhibit, create unity or discord, fuel innovation or maintain mediocrity. Mastering the art of empowering communication begins with intentionality: which means identifying harmful phrases, adopting growth-oriented mindsets, and honing the skills that uplift should be right up the priority list.
Ask yourself:
- Are my words bridging gaps or building walls?
- How can I replace limiting expressions with language that inspires collaboration and innovation?
- For the next 30 days, commit to replacing one harmful phrase from this list with a positive, empowering alternative.
- Watch and keep notes as your relationships, team dynamics and leadership impact transform.
Leadership isn’t just about what you do – it’s about what you say, and what people remember you for!
Sai Kumar Chandran is the founder of OrbitShift. He is a coaching and consulting practitioner and an entrepreneur at heart. He can be reached at saikumarchandran@orbitshift.com.