There’s no way around it: we have to learn communication in the workplace if we want to be successful in our jobs. What makes the job more complicated is trying to find the best thing to say and the way to say it in order to communicate effectively and be taken seriously. Unfortunately, even simple phrases can be misunderstood. If I say, “Sorry about that!” My colleagues may believe that I am weak. If I say, “A friendly reminder…” My colleagues might think I’m being aggressive. So, we are often left struggling to achieve the perfect balance in every relationship.
It’s easy to get caught up in checking every little detail. Is this good? Am I good enough? Did I use too many exclamation marks? The list really goes on. While we’re still trying to figure out the exact number of alarm bells, there are a few words that successful women have in their back pocket to ensure they communicate effectively. Here are:
1. “I don’t see it this way, and this is the reason.”
Expressing your opinion—especially when it differs from the opinions of others in the room—can be scary and overwhelming. I’d be lying if I said I haven’t stopped participating at times.
And this is the truth: your opinion is as important and important as anyone else’s, and you should share it! It’s not rude to agree with what other people say, and you don’t need to apologize for having a different opinion. When sharing your opinion, it is important to consider your timing and justification to support your argument.
For example, if you are in a meeting and a colleague asks if everyone has a different opinion, share yours when necessary, don’t wait until after the fact. And to support your point of view, make sure you have some examples or references to share. You might say, “I don’t see why we should go back to the office five days a week, but here’s why. The productivity of the group I have not asked. I want to continue to support our members in the transition to fulfill their duties at home because they give this freedom so well.”
2. “I have many ideas to share.”
We’ve all been there: when you finally have the courage to share your thoughts, before you can finish your thoughts, your colleague interrupts and steals your thunder.
It always happens, even though it can be frustrating, it’s good to get back into the conversation and continue to share your thoughts. If you’re sitting in a meeting and your co-worker interrupts or talks about you, try to find a natural pause in the conversation to say, “I have more ideas to share.” Thank you for your input, but I’d like to finish where I left off before we move on.” Being assertive helps ensure your opinion is heard and gives you a proper seat at the table.
This phrase also works well when the meeting is short, and you don’t have a chance to finish giving your opinion. You can follow up via email and let your team know that you have other ideas to share and list them in an email or schedule the next meeting to continue the discussion.
3. “My work is done now. What if we ask X?”
There’s a big difference between being a team player and taking advantage, but successful women aren’t afraid to draw a line between the two. Women are asked to take on responsibilities outside of their regular job description—whether it’s planning an event or taking notes during a meeting.
The extra work adds up quickly and can lead to fatigue and frustration. So, the next time you are asked to do something other than your job (without extra pay or support), don’t be afraid to explain what is happening that fits your job, especially if the job those are not parts. of your job description. But instead of leaving your partner hanging, try to offer other ways to avoid being a nuisance.
If you don’t know where to start with this phrase, try using it the next time you are asked to do a task that you don’t have time for and that is outside of your work schedule. You can say something like, “My work is done now, but I know that X is interested in this topic and can do this.”
4. “I have to wake up.”
Gender pay gaps still exist. Confident and strong women know their worth and are not afraid to ask for what is right, even when it is stressful.
Although we all wish we could say that we should raise and receive one, there is another service that will help strengthen your argument. Do your research to understand the right rate for your job and create a compelling list that supports why you deserve the raise, including your most recent accomplishments and contributions. Consider preparing your argument for your mid-year or end-of-year performance review, or find another time to talk to your manager (when you’re ready).
Being honest and confident about supporting a raise shows your manager that you know your worth and will fight for it (as you should). Include this phrase in your speech to get what you want and deserve.
5. “I am proud of my efforts in this work.”
We don’t give ourselves enough credit. In a world where we are taught to downplay our accomplishments and avoid taking big chances, pausing to appreciate our efforts can be pointless pride.
Hear me loud and clear: you have every right to celebrate your successes and achievements, and being proud of yourself is a wonderful feeling. And you don’t have to celebrate in silence, either.
1:1s with your manager, performance reviews, and team meetings are great opportunities to draw attention to your successes and efforts. Don’t be afraid to pat yourself on the back, especially in team meetings where your team members may not recognize all the hard work.
6. “I won’t be able to go to class. Can you give me an explanation later?”
Successful women know how to brutally prioritize their agendas, and sometimes that includes turning down meeting invitations and removing themselves from work knowing that their team members can work without them.
Speaking from experience, I feel guilty when I refuse a meeting (who gave me the right to do this kind of thing?), but the truth is that sometimes it is necessary. Other important things (including non-work responsibilities) may be at the top of the list, and that’s perfectly fine. Letting your team know that you can’t make the meeting but would like to do it later shows that you still care about the topics being discussed without wanting to get involved right away.
7. “I appreciate taking the time to chat today.”
He tends to apologize for asking colleagues for their time, especially when the calendar is packed. You may feel guilty about taking time off between meetings, but if it’s for a good reason, there’s no need to feel bad about it.
Using the phrase, “I appreciate you taking the time to chat today,” lets others know you value their time without being overly apologetic. Thanking others for their time is a great way to free up time for important conversations that are important to your work.
8. “Thank you for your patience!”
Unless it’s clearly written in your company policy or you have an agreement with your team, there are no technical requirements when you respond to email or chat. So what you might think of as a late response may not be late at all. Maybe other things on your to-do list come first.
Regardless of the situation, use the phrase, “Thank you for your patience!” is a good way to avoid the self-penalty of late responses. Here’s a simple and quick alternative to the oh-so-popular “Sorry for the delay!” know that we have all sent.
9. “Go ahead if you have any questions or concerns.”
You don’t have to explain or question whether your opinion is valid. We all have great ideas to share. Instead of worrying about whether your presentation is effective, encouraging questions will open up a two-way conversation between you and your colleagues.
Share your points (either verbally or in writing) and conclude with the phrase, “Let me know if you have any questions or concerns,” to close the conversation and show and thank you for sharing.
Successful women in the workplace stand behind their ideas while giving room to elaborate if necessary—no more rambling, over-explaining, or having doubts.
10. “I appreciate your feedback and will consider it.”
Feedback helps us grow and develop, and the most successful female entrepreneurs seek feedback, consider it and implement changes where necessary. That said, not all feedback is appropriate for action, and sometimes it takes time to digest and absorb the information.
Maybe your co-worker will let you know that you’ve come across as a non-aggressive person in a few emails recently. In this situation, it can be easy to protect yourself. Instead, take the feedback into the phrase, “I appreciate your feedback, and I will consider how I can say something different.”
Listen carefully even when feedback is hard to hear, and show appreciation for the person who gave the feedback. Make sure to think about it even if you decide that nothing else is needed.
