You’ve definitely said at least one of these

7 things leaders say that don’t mean what they think they mean

The “We’re Like Family” & Other Red Flags That Need to Retire guide breaks down 7 things leaders say all the time — and why they drain morale and momentum, even when intentions are good.

Before you say it again…

Let’s retire a few workplace classics

This guide breaks down the workplace phrases that we think mean, “We’re trying our best,” but often land as, “Good luck figuring this out.”

Once you see them for what they are, you can stop leaning on them — and start making work easier for everyone.

  • Realize you’re not imagining it.
    If certain phrases make you internally sigh, this will explain why.

  • Catch the “uh-oh” moments faster.
    Before confusion turns into tension, disengagement, or someone checking jobs on LinkedIn.

  • Stop saying things that accidentally stress people out.
    Even though you genuinely meant to be supportive.

  • Make expectations clearer without a big announcement.
    No town hall. No slide deck. Just fewer mixed messages.

  • Spend less time clarifying what you meant.
    And more time watching people actually do the work.

  • Improve morale without adding perks or slogans.
    Turns out clarity is more motivating than kombucha.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Caydee McCormick has spent years paying attention to how people talk at work.

Not the polished version in slide decks, but the everyday phrases people repeat in meetings, emails, and hallway conversations.

Over time, she noticed a pattern. Certain phrases show up again and again in workplaces that sound supportive — but often signal unclear expectations, inconsistent leadership, or systems that never quite caught up to the business.

Caydee works with leaders to improve the experience of work by fixing the conditions people are operating in, not by blaming the people themselves.

This guide is a short list of the phrases she hears most often — and why they tend to create more confusion than clarity, even when intentions are good.

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