Wonderful Words in the Workplace

race, bias, critical race theory, Liberation Theology

Did you know that work in the “corporate jungle” could be a lot less overwhelming, stressful, or boring if only people would start remembering and saying four wonderful phrases?

From the Heart

Corporate executives, managers, supervisors, and their direct reports, techies, and receptionists should know and say four fantastic (but underrated) phrases to show appreciation, to impress upon people around you that they too can lend a hand, or to simply practice being kind.

These phrases, however, ought to be said from the heart:

  1. “Thank you.” People are constantly helping each other out at work and doing things for one another, and a simple “thank you” can really make a difference, says Alexander Kjerulf, author of the book Happy Hour is 9 to 5. “You can appreciate people both for what they do and for who they are, for example, ‘thanks for getting that report to me a day early’ or ‘I really like working with you because you’re so dependable. Thank you,’” he notes.
  2. “I’m sorry.” Who doesn’t screw up at work at one time or another? And when you do, don’t hesitate to apologize, advises Kjerulf. He says the sooner you apologize for something gone wrong, the easier it is to do so. “Some people think apologizing is a sign of weakness, but in reality, it shows that you take responsibility for your actions and makes it easier to move on after making an error. It also shows that you learn from your mistakes, provided that you don’t keep making the same mistake over and over,” he says.

“Most of the time, a mistake is not your fault alone, but you can always take responsibility for the part that is your fault. When it’s both your fault and somebody else’s, apologize first, instead of waiting for the other guy to do it,” Kjerulf writes. (My two cents’ worth: don’t apologize just to get you out of trouble – say it with remorse and a firm purpose of amendment.)

  1. “Help.” It’s not a sign of weakness either to ask a coworker: “Can you help me?” Kjerulf advises asking for help when one needs it. Besides your indulging people’s ego, a lot of them like being asked – it makes them feel useful.

But he also recommends offering help even when not asked: “Some people feel too busy to offer their help, but when all help each other, we each become efficient and get more work done.”

  1. “Yes, and…” When a co-worker comes to you with a novel idea, what should you say and what should be your demeanor? Would you unabashedly laugh? Would you sheepishly grin? Would you shake your head, smirk and say “Naahh…that won’t work” or “Oh, I don’t know…it’s a long shot”?

Kjerulf suggests saying “Yes, and…” And this doesn’t mean saying yes to everything. “If you do that, you’ll never survive,” Kjerulf says. “‘Yes-and’ is about being open to other people’s suggestions instead of immediately rejecting them.”

Sincerely Said

An employee should not expect the workplace to be perfect because, in reality, no workplace or person is. Work is where people of all backgrounds and persuasions come together with all their personal biases and prejudices, yet, one should not expect every workplace to be a garden of holiness. It can be known by such unsavory names as “jungle,” a “snake pit,” or maybe even at times “hell”!

But Kjerulf says there is nothing better than being carried away by a great idea, nice people, a fun meeting, or a good conversation where one or two of these wonderful phrases are said sincerely.

Each of these four phrases is contagious, says Kjerulf. “The best way to spread the ‘virus’ is to use them yourself. The more you thank others, the easier it will be for them to thank you…Will it make a big difference? Not immediately. But it gets the ball rolling and makes you and others a little happier at work every day,” he says.

We can all use a little more happiness at work.

 

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2 thoughts on “Wonderful Words in the Workplace”

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