6 things no one told you to never say to your team

Words carry immeasurable power. Therefore, it is critical to use them properly. Being haphazard and rash with your comments can harm your team significantly. This blog is all about exposing the truth about these hurtful words and the adverse effects they can have on team morale. By learning about the six things you should never say to your team, you can avoid getting caught up in management’s dangerous power game. So let’s get to it!

It needs no repetition that a manager is a crucial person in any team. As a manager, engaging, encouraging, and motivating your employees to give their best at work becomes your job. Making them feel secure and comfortable in the organization’s environment is key to the managerial function. However, the role of a manager or a leader also brings a significant level of authority. At times, it can be easy to get swayed by the power and use hard words. But it is essential to remember the impact that your words can make on the team. Consequently, there are a few things that you should never say to employees if you are a leader or a manager.

Unkind words coming from the manager can serve as demotivation for the whole team. The scenario will be troublesome for the entire team as it can directly make productivity and performance suffer in the organization. A single remark without sufficient thought can be detrimental to your whole team. Mistakes are part and parcel of daily life. While dealing with employees who have made mistakes, you should ensure that your words do not provide harsh criticism. Always bear in mind to offer constructive criticism rather than judgment. Moreover, keep your evaluation limited to their work. You do not need to share personal judgments.

Read here to learn more about major manager mistakes that make the team members quit.

6 Things You Should Never Say To Your Team

“Be thankful that you have a job.”

At times you might be disappointed by the performance of any employee, but that does not mean that you are entitled to judge their competence for the role. Understand that they made it to the job based on their merit and suitability for the role, which was judged by competent authorities. Further, they have that job because they deserve it, not due to the kindness of some people.

Employment is transactional; therefore, they do not need to be thankful to anyone for getting what they rightly deserve. This will only lead to frustration and conflict. Instead, offer your team members support and encouragement. Remember, the best way to criticize someone is to offer constructive criticism to help them improve.

“Do as I say without questions.”

As the boss, it’s your job to lead and oversee your team. However, that doesn’t mean you don’t listen to everyone and what they say. In fact, you should do the opposite. You’re nothing but a liability and can hold your team back if you do not listen to your team. The attitude of “Don’t even think about questioning me – that’s not how this works” harms team morale big time. Respect the power you have and act accordingly. Instead, you should adopt a holistic and collaborative approach to decision-making to get a broad array of ideas infused with creativity and innovation.

“Good job today!”

Maintaining team spirit and morale is important, so avoiding saying negative things to your team is essential. Instead, reinforce team spirit with phrases like “You did a great job handling the customers today.” Specific feedback will help your team members better understand their strong and weak ideas. Moreover, vague feedback can seem like a mere formality. Highlighting particular good parts also ensures the employees that their efforts are noticed. You can learn how to become a pro at constructive feedback here.

These phrases will show your team that you appreciate their hard work and look out for them. If you need to say something positive, ensure it’s truly applicable to the situation – something that won’t come across as condescending and unsure. Further, you can check up on them when your team has just closed a big project. They might be overwhelmed or tired from the long run of hyperactivity.

“Stop cribbing about things.”

When it comes to communication, it’s essential to know the right way to say things. Unfortunately, not everyone knows this – which can lead to problems. When a team member comes to you about a problem, your approach should include attentive listening and problem-solving. It would help if you did not blame them for pointing out their concerns. Instead, it would help if you encouraged them to do so more. It would be best to create a comfortable environment so that employees trust you and are more comfortable discussing things with you. Remember, you are not their parent or guardian. You’re their boss, but that doesn’t mean you have to act bossy always. Incorporating empathy in your leadership style will help you overcome issues better.

“I was here till 10 PM!”

Teamwork is the key to success for both the individual and the team. Be respectful of others and encourage team collaboration. But while doing so, remember not to force your unhealthy behaviors on others. Do not promote overworking by questioning your team members about things beyond the scope of their employment. Instead, it would help if you allowed the employees sufficient time to focus on self-care and maintain a healthy work-life balance by setting healthy boundaries. We all appreciate employees who are ready to go above ad beyond for the organization, but you cannot force people to work above the stipulated hours. Moreover, subtle pressures and pestering behavior only dissatisfy the employees with the environment.

“This is how it works”

It is essential not simply to give orders but to let the team know what you expect of them politely and professionally. If someone comes up with an innovative solution or idea, it’s always best to allow them the opportunity to share their thoughts. Do not patronize your team by talking down to them; they will only feel inferior as a result and may even resent you for it later on. Keep your tone upbeat when communicating with your employees about new ideas; this type of attitude shows that you value their input and understand how their work contributes to the organization. Finally, do not remain rigid with the old ways, be open to changes as the world is constantly changing.

Conclusion

All in all, it is vital to keep communication healthy so that it helps you achieve more. In order to do so, always remain mindful of the impact your words can make on the employees. Keep these things you should never say to your team in your mind for a successful stint as a team manager who creates healthy employee relations. Remind yourself that your goal is to take the team to new heights, as a group and in a happy frame of mind! By being respectful of your employees, you will help to create a positive and productive environment.