This article was co-authored by Sheila A. Anderson and by wikiHow staff writer, Elaine Heredia, BA. Sheila A. Anderson is a Certified Image Consultant, International Branding Icon, and the Founder of Image Power Play, an impression management and personal branding company. With over three decades of experience, she specializes in empowering corporate professionals to raise their personal image to meet the value of their brand. Sheila is a Certified Image Consultant with The Image Resource Network and a Certified Universal Style Consultant with The Universal Style International. Sheila is a member of the C-Suite Network Advisors and the author of the book, I.C.U., The Comprehensive Guide to Breathing Life Back Into Your Personal Brand.
There are 35 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.
This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources.
When you feel like saying, "This isn't my job," "Stay in your lane," or "I'm not your assistant!" how do you express that professionally? Believe it or not, there's a way! Keep reading to find 34 common phrases we all wish we could say at work and professional ways to say them. We'll also share tips on phrasing and how to keep your emotions in check from certified image consultant and international branding icon Sheila A. Anderson and etiquette coach Christine Ferrera. Finally, use our Professional Translator tool if you need to make a phrase you don't see below safe for work use!
Common Phrases & How to Say Them at Work
- Instead of: "I'm sorry I messed up." Say: "I made a mistake and I apologize."
- Instead of: "I'm a fast learner." Say: "I'm versatile and adapt to change quickly."
- Instead of: "I'm not your assistant." Say: "Sorry, I'm swamped right now."
- Instead of: "I quit." Say: "I'm resigning my position."
- Instead of: "Just checking in." Say: "Let's touch base when you have time."
- Instead of: "Thanks, but no thanks." Say: "I appreciate the opportunity, but I'm not interested."
Steps
Expert Q&A
Video
Tips
References
- ↑ https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/how-to-apologize-for-a-mistake-professionally
- ↑ https://www.inc.com/alison-green/how-to-tell-an-employee-to-stay-in-their-lane.html
- ↑ https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/resumes-cover-letters/emphasize-being-a-fast-learner-on-a-resume
- ↑ https://www.inc.com/alison-green/my-coworker-treats-me-like-his-assistant.html
- ↑ https://www.roberthalf.com/us/en/insights/career-development/quitting-your-job-3-ways-to-tell-your-boss-gracefully
- ↑ https://money.com/the-three-words-you-should-never-use-in-a-work-email-and-what-to-say-instead/
- ↑ https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/how-to-nicely-say-no
- ↑ https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/thats-not-my-job
- ↑ https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/thats-not-my-job
- ↑ https://www.askamanager.org/2020/04/my-coworker-is-trying-to-manage-me-and-shes-not-my-boss.html
- ↑ https://www.askamanager.org/2018/01/how-much-detail-do-you-have-to-share-when-you-call-in-sick.html
- ↑ https://www.askamanager.org/2017/09/how-to-tell-someone-this-is-your-job-not-mine.html
- ↑ https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/how-to-write-angry-email-professionally
- ↑ https://skillsforchange.com/how-to-say-we-are-working-on-it-professionally
- ↑ https://workwizardry.com/how-to-professionally-say-are-you-stupid/
- ↑ Sheila A. Anderson. Certified Image Consultant & International Branding Icon. Expert Interview
- ↑ Sheila A. Anderson. Certified Image Consultant & International Branding Icon. Expert Interview
- ↑ https://grammeroverview.com/ways-to-say-mind-your-own-business
- ↑ https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/condolence
- ↑ https://www.forbes.com/sites/carolinecastrillon/2024/12/08/how-to-explain-leaving-a-toxic-workplace-in-an-interview/
- ↑ https://staffing-agency.co.uk/temp-staffing-solutions/faq/how-do-you-say-we-are-short-staffed-professionally
- ↑ https://www.self.com/story/saying-no-to-invitations
- ↑ https://youtu.be/NMS_VQhDOm4?si=CtiQQh96eagFZsQq&t=404
- ↑ Christine Ferrera. Etiquette Coach. Expert Interview
- ↑ Christine Ferrera. Etiquette Coach. Expert Interview
- ↑ https://grammeroverview.com/other-ways-to-say-doesnt-make-sense/
- ↑ https://www.fastcompany.com/40506204/3-ways-to-tell-your-annoying-coworkers-to-shut-up-without-being-rude
- ↑ https://www.forbes.com/sites/dailymuse/2017/04/14/this-is-exactly-what-you-need-to-say-when-a-co-workers-wasting-your-time/
- ↑ https://time.com/7280959/how-to-say-i-told-you-so/
- ↑ https://ca.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/as-per-my-last-email
- ↑ Sheila A. Anderson. Certified Image Consultant & International Branding Icon. Expert Interview
- ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/your-personal-renaissance/201705/i-dont-have-the-bandwidth-for-that
- ↑ https://youtu.be/NMS_VQhDOm4?si=NRnkO3MhPFsfEFIH&t=134
- ↑ https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/how-to-tell-your-boss-you-have-too-much-work
- ↑ https://www.insidehighered.com/advice/2019/09/23/tips-handling-missed-deadline-opinion
- ↑ https://www.askamanager.org/2016/02/how-to-say-that-wont-work-without-seeming-like-the-office-eeyore.html
- ↑ https://www.forbes.com/sites/work-in-progress/2015/05/04/six-ways-to-confidently-say-i-dont-know/
- ↑ https://www.fastcompany.com/3062467/4-ways-to-bounce-back-when-youre-treated-unfairly-at-work
- ↑ https://www.fastcompany.com/90291686/this-is-exactly-when-and-how-to-tell-someone-they-are-wrong