Employees’ relationship with managers matters significantly to your long-term ability to retain the employee. As a manager, your words can significantly impact your team’s motivation, engagement, and overall success. Unfortunately, many managers fail to realize their words’ importance when working with their employees. Some words can have the opposite effect you intended, causing your team to feel demotivated and disengaged. In this blog, we’ll explore some terms you should avoid using as a manager.
“You Should”
Frame your feedback or suggestions more collaboratively. Starting a sentence with “you should” can be directive and may make your team feel like you’re ordering them around. For example, you could say, “Have you considered trying it this way?” or “What do you think about approaching it from a different angle?”
“That’s Not My Job”
As a manager, it’s essential to lead by example and show your team that you’re willing to roll up your sleeves and help when needed. Saying “That’s not my job” can give the impression that you’re not ready to go above and beyond, which can demotivate your team. Instead, try to be flexible and help out wherever you can.
“I Don’t Have Time”
Understandably, as a manager, you have a lot on your plate. However, saying “I don’t have time” can make your team feel like their concerns or needs aren’t a priority. Instead, try to carve out time to address their concerns or delegate tasks to other team members if necessary.
“It’s Always Been Done This Way”
While having processes and procedures in place is essential, saying, “it’s always been done this way,” can stifle creativity and innovation. Instead, encourage your team to share their thoughts and be open to new approaches. Your team may have fresh ideas or perspectives that could improve processes or solve problems in a new way.
“Because I Said So”
Telling your team to do something “because I said so” can be dismissive and authoritarian. It’s essential to explain the reasoning behind your decisions and allow your team to ask questions and provide feedback. Making this effort will help to build trust and show your team that their opinions and perspectives are valued.
“That’s Impossible”
As a manager, it’s important to be realistic and set achievable goals for your team. However, saying “That’s impossible” can be demotivating and may prevent your team from thinking creatively and finding new solutions to problems. Instead, encourage your team to think outside the box and come up with innovative solutions.
“I’ll Do It Myself”
While it’s important to lead by example and show your team that you’re willing to work hard, saying “I’ll do it myself” can give the impression that you don’t trust your team or their abilities. Instead, try to delegate tasks and give your team the opportunity to take on new responsibilities and develop their skills.
PrideStaff Helps Managers Succeed
As a manager, you must lead by example and set the tone for your team’s success. The words you use as a manager can significantly impact your team’s motivation, engagement, and overall success. Unfortunately, sometimes the environment itself doesn’t allow managers to succeed. If you’re in a difficult work environment and considering a change, contact PrideStaff Thousand Oaks. We can help.
