Handling tough conversations is hard.
But the wrong words can turn a small problem
into a full-blown conflict.
Here are some common phrases that often
make things worse and what to swap it out
with...
❌ “You’re overreacting.”
✅ “I see this is important to you… let’s talk about it.”
❌ “That’s just how it is.”
✅ “I understand your concerns… let’s explore what we can do.”
❌ “You need to calm down.”
✅ “I want to understand… can you help me see your perspective?”
❌ “This isn’t my problem.”
✅ “Let’s find a way forward together… what do you think?”
❌ “I don’t have time for this.”
✅ “I want to give this proper attention… let’s set a time to discuss.”
❌ “That’s not what I meant.”
✅ “Let me rephrase… here’s what I was trying to say.”
❌ “I don’t see the issue.”
✅ “Help me understand why this is a concern for you.”
❌ “You’re taking this too personally.”
✅ “I hear you… let’s work through this together.”
❌ “We don’t need to talk about this.”
✅ “If this is important to you, then it’s worth discussing.”
❌ “Let’s just agree to disagree.”
✅ “We may see things differently… but let’s find common ground.”
We’ve all said these at some point.
But they can shut people down, break trust, and stop progress.
These small changes can:
✅ Build trust.
✅ Open up to honest conversations.
✅ Help you find real solutions.
✅ Strengthen your working relationships.
🧠 Remember; People don’t just remember your words
– they remember how you made them feel.
Next time a tough chat comes up, choose your words wisely.
Which phrase do you think is the hardest to stop saying?
