Entrepreneurship

Writer Maya Angelou was right when she said that, "People will forget what you said, but they'll never forget how you made them feel." True, unless you're talking about silly things those careless leaders say. As an entrepreneur or business manager, people will often remember the exact words you say – even if you don't – and it's not good for relationships.

Here are 10 no-no's which you should avoid:
‍

1. "BRING ME SOLUTIONS, NOT PROBLEMS"

This is a common phrase, but silly. As a business owner, you want problems to surface and don't want to shoot the messenger. Yes, your employee should think through options for solving the problem, but sometimes they need your help. This absolute statement leads to problems buried versus brought forth. 

‍

2. "YOU DON'T NEED TO KNOW WHY - JUST EXECUTE"

Actually, your people do need to know why. Employee surveys show that the vast majority of employees ranked "Not knowing why I'm asked to do what I do" as a top-three demotivator.

‍

3. "I'LL JUST DO IT MYSELF"

Sometimes you may say this in anger, but you'll be by yourself, on an island, without support if you do. This is poor on two fronts. First, it's the opposite of granting autonomy, which employees crave. Second, it says "I know better than you" and "I'm a control freak" – both are debilitating.

‍

4. "BECAUSE I'M THE BOSS"

Might be, but so what? Running a business is about personal power, not position power. This phrase is a cop-out and a weak way to hide behind authority. You might get compliance, but you'll never get commitment. You'll get followers by hierarchy, but never by heart.

‍

5. "GOOD JOB"

Bland feedback is like white bread – it's not nutritious. Instead, get granular and let them know what about the job they did was good and why.

‍

6. "YOU NEED TO DO MORE WITH LESS"

This commonly used platitude is meaningless. Instead, give insight into how or what you'll do to help your employees be more efficient? Otherwise, it's just a frustrating message: a never-ending quest to keep producing more with fewer resources. And even if it's true, it requires more context and aid offered.

‍

7. "THAT'S YOUR PROBLEM"

Nee man. If you're a leader, it's your problem too. There's no faster way to ditch accountability and lose employees' respect than to make this statement.

‍

8. "DON'T TAKE THIS THE WRONG WAY, BUT..."

Stop beating around the bush. This says, "I haven't thought through the feedback I have for you" or "I'm too timid to be direct with you."

‍

9. "I DON'T HAVE TIME RIGHT NOW"

Or is it that you won't make time? The best leaders I had always done. Or even if they genuinely didn't, the refusal was couched correctly, with an explanation of why and a counteroffer of when and where they could connect. 

10. "ARE YOU QUESTIONING MY AUTHORITY?"

This phrase smacks of insecurity and the inability to handle debate or conflict. Great leaders welcome questioning; they know it makes them, the idea, and the outcome stronger.

So choose your words wisely – but not these words.