If you want people to take you seriously at work, stop saying these 9 phrases

You could be great at your job, full of smart ideas, and a solid team player—but if the way you speak undercuts your credibility, people may not see you that way. 

In the workplace, how you communicate matters just as much as what you do. Certain phrases, even when said with the best intentions, can make you come across as unsure, passive, or lacking confidence.

I’ve seen it happen—someone brilliant says “I’m not sure if this makes sense, but…” and suddenly, the weight of their idea disappears. 

The truth is, small language habits can have a big impact on how others perceive your authority and competence. 

So if you want to be taken more seriously at work, start by dropping these 7 phrases that are quietly working against you.

1. “I may be wrong, but…”

It might seem polite or humble to show that you’re open to other viewpoints. But leading with “I may be wrong” weakens the statement you’re about to make.

You’re telling your audience—whether it’s your boss or a client—that you’re unsure about your contribution before you’ve even made it.

It’s possible to stay open to feedback without discrediting yourself. Instead of saying, “I may be wrong, but here’s what I think,” try something along the lines of, “Here’s what I’ve observed” or “In my experience, this approach has worked well.” 

If you genuinely want to invite other opinions, add a direct call for feedback—“I’d love to know if anyone sees it differently.” 

Confidence doesn’t mean claiming you’re always right; it means trusting your perspective while still being willing to adjust it if you encounter new information.

2. “Sorry to bother you…”

I understand the urge to be polite. We don’t want to come off as intrusive or demanding. 

That said, constantly apologizing—especially for routine communication—sends a message that you feel undeserving of your colleague’s time or attention. 

And according to linguistics professor Deborah Tannen, overapologizing makes us look weak and less confident. 

Of course, if you’ve interrupted a crucial meeting or stepped on someone’s toes, then a real apology is appropriate. But if you’re simply messaging someone on Slack with a legitimate question, there’s no need to lead with an apology.

When I was first building my consultancy, I caught myself overusing “sorry” in emails, especially when requesting client updates. 

Now, if I genuinely believe I’m intruding, I might say, “Let me know when you have a moment to discuss this.” 

If I sense it’s urgent, I’ll be direct and polite—“I’d love a quick update on the project. Are you available for a short chat today?” It conveys respect, without diminishing your own standing.

3. “Does that make sense?”

This phrase can be a double-edged sword. 

On one hand, it might show that you value the other person’s understanding. 

On the other, it can come across as condescending—like you’re questioning their ability to follow along. 

Alternatively, it can undermine your confidence, suggesting you’re unsure about how you communicated.

I still slip up occasionally. It’s an easy phrase to use when you want to be thorough. 

I suggest considering more collaborative language. Instead of “Does that make sense?” try “I’d love to hear your thoughts” or “I’m curious if this lines up with what you were thinking.” 

That simple shift puts you and the other person on equal footing, and it shows you respect their viewpoint.

4. “I’m just saying…”

It’s easy to tack on “just saying” when you want to point out a problem without sounding too critical. Maybe you’re trying to soften the blow, avoid confrontation, or signal that you’re not trying to stir up drama. 

But here’s the thing: that little phrase tends to undercut whatever came before it. It makes your input sound less thoughtful and more like a casual complaint—or worse, a passive-aggressive jab.

The word “just” alone can be a credibility killer. It shrinks the weight of your words and frames your insight as less important. Saying, “I’m just saying we should double-check the numbers” sounds like you’re unsure or reluctant. 

In contrast, dropping the “just” signals confidence: “We should double-check the numbers.” It’s direct, clear, and shows you stand behind your suggestion. 

If you want to be taken seriously at work, speak like your thoughts deserve space. Because they do.

5. “We’ve always done it this way.”

One sure way to seem resistant to growth is by clinging to the status quo. It’s a phrase that stifles innovation and hints at a reluctance to learn new methods. 

When you say this, you’re basically telling your team, “I’m not open to reevaluating our processes.”

In today’s fast-paced work environment, especially in entrepreneurial circles, adaptability is crucial. As Harvard Business Review points out, “Defaulting to old habits in new situations that call for new solutions is usually a recipe for failure.”

Instead of shutting down new ideas, try expressions like, “We tried a similar approach before; let’s see if we can adapt it further,” or “How can we build on what’s worked in the past while refining what hasn’t?” 

It’s a clever way of acknowledging history without letting it dictate the future.

6. “I’m no expert, but…”

Whenever I hear people say this, I want to remind them that expertise comes in many forms. 

You might not have a Ph.D. in rocket science, but you’ve likely gained insights from hands-on experience, observation, or training. 

Telling your boss or a client that you lack expertise right before you share your opinion can diminish all the value that opinion holds.

Harvard Business Review has highlighted the importance of situational expertise—meaning that you can be an expert in a specific context, even if you don’t hold the official title. 

So instead of warning everyone you’re not qualified, simply share your observations. If you want to show humility, you might say, “From what I’ve seen in our previous launches…” or “Based on my work with similar campaigns, here’s what I’ve noticed…” 

That establishes your relevant experience without knocking yourself down a peg.

7. “This might be a silly idea, but…”

It’s tempting to soften a potentially out-of-the-box suggestion by labeling it silly or weird. If you do so, you’re allowing people to dismiss it before they really consider it. 

Some of the best innovations start as ideas that initially sound a bit odd. Don’t lower your chances of being taken seriously by downplaying your ideas right off the bat. 

In your next brainstorming session, try a stronger approach like, “I have an idea that might shake things up—let’s see where it leads.” That sets a tone of curiosity rather than self-doubt.

8. “I think we should probably…”

When you’re pitching a strategy or proposing a new process, couching it in hesitant language—“we should probably”—makes it sound more like a vague notion than an actionable plan. 

Granted, you might want to avoid being overly pushy, especially if you’re not the ultimate decision-maker. But you can still come across as decisive and open to discussion at the same time.

You can say something like, “One strong approach could be…” or “It might benefit us to consider X.” 

That way, you’re suggesting a solution without belittling your own proposal. Sometimes, the key to persuasive communication is trusting that your ideas carry merit.

9. “Well, that’s above my pay grade.”

I’ve heard this phrase in moments of frustration, or when someone wants to avoid responsibility. 

The problem is that it signals you’re unwilling to expand your knowledge or stretch beyond your comfort zone. It might also come across as if you’re making a passive-aggressive comment about management’s job.

If you truly feel something is out of scope, it’s usually better to clarify next steps or pass it on to the right person. But you can do this in a more solution-focused way. 

For instance, “I’d love to help, but I need guidance from our finance team first. Should I loop them in?” 

This type of response demonstrates accountability and a proactive attitude, even when you can’t directly fix the issue at hand.

Wrapping up

It’s remarkable how small changes in everyday language can either reinforce or erode your credibility. 

Each phrase on this list might seem harmless at a glance, but in a workplace environment—especially where stakes are high, resources are limited, and quick decisions matter—your choice of words carries influence. 

Whether you’re leading a meeting, sending off a crucial email, or collaborating on a new project, pay attention to the subtle signals you’re sending.

Clarity and confidence don’t have to mean being rude or closed off to other viewpoints. It’s about giving your ideas the best chance to be heard and respected. You can own your expertise while remaining open to improvement. 

Small changes like removing disclaimers, apologetic intros, or outdated phrases can make a huge difference in how people perceive you—and even how you perceive yourself. 

After all, professional presence starts with the words we choose every day.