You are sitting quietly in a meeting room, a coffee in your hand. ☕️ Everything is going incredibly well until… Gulp! Gulp! 😧 Someone has just ruined the mood with a horrifying sentence.
An overview of the worst sentences ever heard in a meeting! 📣 But to avoid too much arousing the angry communicator in you, the We Are COM team offers you its range of answers, sometimes chic, sometimes shocking.
#1 – “We’ve always done it like this”
Why does it strain us? This sentence cuts short any idea of innovation. It discourages the search for new ideas. Why this rigid attachment to what has already been seen and reviewed, this irrational fear of the unknown? This is how to slow down all creativity and competitiveness, in a world that, however, never ceases to reinvent itself.
What we would secretly like to answer? "Only fools don't change their minds, right? Come on, have some courage. And if it fails, we promise, we'll say it was a test to improve our resilience!" 😉
What should you say to remain audible in all circumstances? "Exactly, what if we tried a new approach for once. Either our results are even better, or it confirms that our usual method remains the most effective. We have nothing to lose."
#2 “We’ll take stock of this… soon”
Why does it strain us? Ah… this famous soon that means everything and nothing at the same time. It’s crazy how a simple phrase can frustrate the most motivated communicators. Soon is poorly assumed procrastination, it’s a form of indecision, stagnation and uncertainty.
What we would secretly like to answer? 📅 "Be clearer! On Saint-Glinglin's Day? When chickens have teeth? I have an idea, let's fix the point when the subject is no longer current, is that okay with you?"
What should you say to remain audible in all circumstances? “What a great idea! Yes, let’s set a date right away to make sure we don’t get caught up in time. When are you available?”
#3 “It’s not in my area”
Why does it strain us? It simply makes us tense because this sentence sounds like a categorical refusal to get involved. Your interlocutor seems to want to limit himself to his attributions, rather than working for the collective. However, within a COM team, what is more challenging than sharing, mutual assistance and flexibility?
What we would secretly like to answer? 📐 « Seriously, you thought you were a geometric shape? Where exactly does your perimeter start and stop? We wouldn't want to risk taking you out of your comfort zone."
What should you say to remain audible in all circumstances? "I understand, yes, but your expert perspective is so valuable to us. We simply want to gather external points of view, to be sure that we are moving in the right direction."
#4 “It lacks Wow!”
Why does it strain us? Because this criticism is vague, it provides no, absolutely no constructive feedback or suggestions for improvement. And worse, this kind of comment denigrates all the work you have done.
What we would secretly like to answer? ???? "Oh thanks great, I really love this kind of very technical feedback! Just to clarify this very clear review, is it a "wow!" with a little "ouh" or a straight up "OUH" in capital letters?"
What should you say to remain audible in all circumstances? "You're right, it's true that the "wow!" is essential. Do you have anything specific in mind? In your opinion, what do you need to work on first to shine more?"
#5 “We’ll talk about it again off the record”
Why does it strain us? This gives the unpleasant impression that the most important decisions are not made in meetings, but in the shadows and without consultation. But then, why are you wasting your time here? This sentence generates a feeling of distrust and even exclusion.
What we would secretly like to answer? "This is a TOP SECRET file, is that it? You have to be a member of the DGSE to have access to the information, in fact?" 🇧🇷
What should you say to remain audible in all circumstances? "If it's a concern for everyone, it might be beneficial to share the information here. Better to make sure we're all on the same page, right?"
#6 “I didn’t have time to look at the document”
Why does it strain us? 😡 Because of the frustration that this kind of sentence generates. Spending hours working on a document, filling it out, structuring it… all that for no one to take the time to look at it? It really gives the impression that your work is not taken seriously. A real blow to dignity!
What we would secretly like to answer? "You didn't have time? It's funny, I had no choice but to find time! Next time, let me know, I'll give you a summary in 4 emojis so as not to bother you unnecessarily, I promise."
What should you say to remain audible in all circumstances? "No worries, let's take a few minutes to summarize this document. To avoid this in the future, do you have any recommendations for me? Perhaps a more concise format would suit you better?"
#7 “I don’t think it’s feasible”
Why does it strain us? Because this kind of reaction refutes an idea, without even having time to explore it. Why reject even a discussion out of hand? Why not open a space for reflection?
What we would secretly like to answer? "It's crazy how quickly a "no" can come when you can't be bothered to think? Come on, have a little imagination, open up your creative chakras a little!" 🙏
What should you say to remain audible in all circumstances? "I see what you mean. Sure, it may not be feasible as it stands, but let's think together about the alternatives available to us to get there."
#8 “We have too many projects underway for that”
Why does it strain us? Because our intention is not to slow down the entire team by implementing this new project. Insisting on the current workload is to close the door to any new initiative, however legitimate, by cowardly taking the other members of the team to task. Ultimately, this creates a real feeling of injustice and inequality.
What we would secretly like to answer? 🙄 "Well yes of course, let's stay well hidden until everything is perfect. Innovation is so much easier without pressure."
What should you say to remain audible in all circumstances? "Understood, but before categorically refusing this new project, why not take a look at the overall schedule and study how to optimize it?"
#9 “It’s urgent, but don’t panic”
Why does it strain us? Hello paradox. 🙃 In fact, the casual tone of this sentence increases the feeling of confusion and stress. We expect our interlocutors to give us clear instructions, rather than contradictory vagueness that gratuitously increases the pressure.
What we would secretly like to answer? “Oh yeah, a quiet emergency, I know the concept. Great, let’s talk about it again during our next meditation session.”
What should you say to remain audible in all circumstances? "I understand. Perhaps the easiest thing would be to take a few minutes to clarify priorities? That would allow us to move forward more quickly, without wasting time on the superfluous."
#10 “It’s not my problem”
Why does it strain us? Individualism and nonchalance… This phrase is like saying “you are not my problem”. In business, solidarity is not only professional, it must be human.
What we would secretly like to answer? “Ah, the ostrich policy, a truly valiant approach! Spoiler alert : when it comes back to haunt you, guess what I'll tell you... 😈 »
What should you say to remain audible in all circumstances? "I understand, it's not your problem right now... but it could quickly become one if no one does their part. Let's talk about it, precisely, to prevent this problem from spreading to the whole team."
