Don't say: "That's not my job."
Why: If your superior asks you to do something, it is your job。
Instead say: "I'm not sure that should be my priority right now." Then have a conversation with your boss about your responsibilities。
不要說"That's not my job."(這不是我分內的事。)只要你的上司讓你做，那你就得做。我們可以說"I'm not sure that should be my priority right now."(我不確定現在是否應該先做這事。)然後告訴老闆你需要負責哪些。
Don't say: "This might sound stupid, but…"
Why: Never undermine your ideas by prefacing your remarks with wishy-washy language。
Instead say: "What's on your mind?" It reinforces your credibility to present your ideas with confidence。
不要說"This might sound stupid, but…"(也許這聽上去有點愚昧，但是……)永遠不要在發言前加上這種優柔寡斷的前綴來削弱自己的觀點。可以說"What's on your mind?"(你怎麼認為？)這樣可以增強你的可信度，讓你充滿自信地發表意見。
Don't say: "I don't have time to talk to you."
Why: It's plain rude, in person or on the phone。
Instead say: "I'm just finishing something up right now. Can I come by when I'm done?" Graciously explain why you can't talk now, and suggest catching up at an appointed time later. Let phone calls go to voice mail until you can give callers your undivided attention。
不要說"I don't have time to talk to you."(我沒時間跟你說。)無論是當面說還是在電話裏說，這話都是相當粗魯的。我們可以說"I'm just finishing something up right now. Can I come by when I'm done?"(我現在正忙著要完成一些事情，等我做完了再來找你行嗎？)禮貌地向別人解釋為什麼現在不行，並且提出稍後的約定時間。打電話時除非你能把所有注意力都放在對方身上，否則就選擇語音郵件的形式吧。