It’s easy to think of quotes great leaders have said throughout history. Consider quotes like “I have a dream” or “Ask not what your country can do for you.” Those lines are memorable because they communicate powerful truths and are delivered by gifted orators.
But you don’t have to be a Martin Luther King, Jr. or a John F. Kennedy to offer your bosses, colleagues, and direct reports phrases that will profoundly impact their work and lives.
Here are ten phrases great leaders say and why they are so important.
10 Phrases Great Leaders Say
1. How can I support you?
Whether through resources required to work more effectively, additional training or development, or even help with work-life integration, a genuine offer of support can be the difference between a good job and a great one.
Make it clear that you are willing to work with your team members to ensure they have the support necessary to do the best job possible. Back up your boss and colleagues by stepping in with an extra set of hands or speaking publicly in favor of new initiatives. Most of all, wherever you have an opportunity, ask what kind of assistance your bosses, colleagues, and team members need to improve outcomes across the organization.
2. I value your input.
Sometimes, input from others is helpful and welcome; other times, it can be hard to hear. But telling those you work with that their input is valuable is also a way to build stronger relationships and demonstrate humility and a growth mindset—both vital to long-term leadership success.
3. Let’s find a solution together.
Workplace challenges can come from many different directions. Some are external, like market shifts or industry challenges, and others are internal, such as mistakes or leadership shake-ups.
In most circumstances, the best approach is to share challenges with the team. Be open without throwing anyone under the bus, and invite input and assistance from others to solve problems together. When the team wins together, it can be great for team cohesion.
4. Thank you for your hard work.
Another way to help team members feel valued is to recognize their efforts and voice appreciation. People need to know that leaders appreciate what they do and the value they bring to the team and organization. Don’t save these words for annual reviews; make sure your direct reports hear this phrase frequently.
5. What do you think?
Everyone wants to feel valued at work, and knowing their ideas and opinions are welcome can go a long way toward that goal. Asking others what they think invites input and clarifies that you are open to new ways of thinking and evaluating challenges.
6. I trust your judgment.
Trust is central to the leader/team member dynamic. If you don’t trust your team members, expecting them to trust you is tough!
To build more trust, delegate as much as possible to your team. Look for opportunities to develop team members through delegated tasks, and ensure they have ample opportunity to exercise their judgment as they deliver results. As they grow in confidence and skill, keep building trust by matching your level of oversight to your team member’s competence.
7. Great job on that project!
Giving and receiving compliments in the workplace can be tricky, but they can also be one of the best ways to offer in-the-moment feedback. When someone performs well, offer a compliment highlighting a specific action, and mention the impact that action had on others or the organization.
8. Let’s learn from this experience.
Everyone makes mistakes—you, your boss, your team members, everyone. Mistakes can sink us into a cycle of blame or self-recrimination, or they can be opportunities for learning and growth. Healthy failure is a good thing, and communicating a willingness to use mistakes to learn and grow shows that you don’t expect anyone to be perfect—including yourself.
9. Your feedback is important.
Feedback should never be a one-way street. Your team members need an opportunity to share feedback about your leadership and the employee experience at your organization. Make sure you solicit feedback to learn how you can be a better leader, and encourage your direct reports to give honest feedback to the organization when they have opportunities.
10. I believe in you.
The very best leaders draw out the very best in their team members. When leaders recognize the skills, talents, and potential in team members who may not recognize it in themselves, they have a tremendous opportunity to make a massive impact on someone’s career.
As you assign and delegate work, communicate your confidence in your team members’ capabilities. If they express doubts about their abilities, a well-timed “I believe in you” can boost their confidence.
You may never give a speech that goes down in history, but you can be a great leader who team members praise long after you no longer work together. Start incorporating these ten phrases, and watch your team thrive.
Self-check:
- Do I regularly use these phrases with bosses, colleagues, or team members? Which ones?
- Is there one phrase on this list I could use more often? Are there other ways to express the same thing?
- Is there one phrase I should stop saying?
