10 Most Regrettable Phrases At Work — And How To Rebound When You Say Them

Stress can lead to many regrettable phrases and moments — especially at work.

We’ve all said something we would like to take back when our nerves were frazzled: Almost 90% of people admit that they’ve said things they soon regretted when they were under pressure, according to a study from Preply.

At the top of the list of regrettable phrases: “I don’t care.”

Problems with Regrettable Phrases

Other than feeling like an ass for saying things we wish we hadn’t, regrettable phrases lead to other issues.

They often spark misunderstandings and lead to further conflict. Two-thirds of employees say their motivation and job satisfaction decline when they hear colleagues spew out negative phrases.

Then there’s this: It spills into our personal lives. Most people spend about 11 minutes a day at home venting about what went wrong at work.

But there are ways to avoid the ill effects of regrettable phrases (and behaviors) at work.

“The key is to approach the situation with empathy, transparency, and a commitment to support,” says Sylvia Johnson, a Preply language expert. “The language you use is critical so use words that inspire calmness and clarity.”

10 Regrettable Phrases

So let’s first look at the phrases people most regret saying in the workplace.

Obviously, the best bet is to avoid saying these phrases at work. But, when pressure kicks in, words sometimes spill out before we think them through.

We have two approaches to help curb the regret:

• Tactfully rebound from regrettable phrases, and
• Get in the practice of using more positive, assuring phrases.

More on each below.

Tactic 1: Rebound

Ideally, you never say anything under stress that you’ll regret sooner or later. But when it happens, take these steps to rebound and make amends.

1. Own it. Your words likely hurt someone and you can’t minimize how it made them feel.
2. Evaluate the damage. Did you mildly hurt someone’s feelings or ignite a firestorm? This will help you decide how and when to react.
3. Give the appropriate amount of time and space. Sometimes it helps to let intense feelings cool a bit before making amends. But don’t wait too long so the situation festers into something worse.
4. Skip excuses. Don’t say, “I was stressed out and not thinking clearly” or anything else that might minimize your words and behavior.
5. Take responsibility. Admit what you said was wrong and how you can see it negatively impacted others.
6. Apologize. A sincere apology goes the greater distance in making amends. Be sure to say, “I’m sorry,” as it is the most sincere way to show remorse.
7. Validate their feelings. Let them know you understand that your words affected them negatively. Say something like, “I know I sounded critical, and I understand why you’re upset.”
8. Share your intention to do better. You can’t promise that you’ll never say something you’ll regret again. But you can promise to try your hardest to avoid it.
9. Open the dialogue. They might have some things to say in return. Listen carefully. Don’t become defensive.

Tactic 2: Practice Positive Phrases

No matter who’s stressed — whether it’s you or the people you’re working with — everyone can benefit from more positive, reassuring language at work.

Preply found these are the best to use often.

“Use phrases like ‘I understand that this news may be challenging to hear, and I want you to know that I’m here for you,'” suggests Johnson. “Deliver the information straightforwardly, avoiding unnecessary ambiguity.

“Immediately follow up with any available support or potential solutions. This shows that you’re not just delivering bad news but are committed to assisting in navigating the challenges,” she continues. “You could explain, ‘We’re here to support you through this. Let’s discuss how we can work together to find the best way forward.’”