The three phrases that the most successful employees never use at work, according to CEOs and psychologists.

The key to success often lies not in what one says, but in what one doesn't say.

Avoid using jargon in the workplace, such as "ducks in a row" or "move the needle," as they may confuse your co-workers, according to research published by LinkedIn and Duolingo last year. On the other hand, phrases like "keep me in the loop" or "just checking in" can unintentionally come across as passive-aggressive, as Slack executive Jaime DeLanghe told CNBC Make It in 2022.

According to CEOs, psychologists, and linguistics experts, the best employees tend to avoid using these three phrases and sayings.

'It is what it is'

One phrase that bosses and colleagues dislike hearing when they encounter work problems is "That's just the way it is."

John McWhorter, an author, linguist, and associate professor at Columbia University, stated on Bill Gates' "Unconfuse Me" podcast last year that people often say something when what they truly mean is, "I don't care."

The phrase "it is what it is" can come across as passive and may damage others' trust in you, according to McWhorter.

Psychologist Cortney S. Warren advised Make It last year: "I must view reality objectively, even if it doesn't align with my desires, in order to progress."

'This is how we've always done it'

According to Jason Buechel, CEO of Whole Foods, the biggest warning sign for an employee is someone who believes they have all the answers.

"Buechel stated that sometimes he could have been that person in his past, particularly in certain aspects. He learned the hard way that flexibility is crucial, especially in today's world where customers' demands are constantly evolving, and businesses are always changing."

Executives from JPMorgan Chase and Amazon value employees who are energized by learning new ideas and perspectives and find ways to apply them to the workplace. However, one sentence that can frustrate such CEOs is "This is how we've always done it."

Research indicates that remaining curious and seizing new chances can enhance your career and leisure activities, boost your happiness, and enable you to handle the unpredictable twists and turns of your professional journey more effectively.

'I'll never be able to get this. Why bother?'

At some point, everyone encounters a task that seems unattainable. You might attempt to discourage yourself, thinking "I'll never succeed. What's the point?"

Emma Seppälä, a Yale lecturer and psychologist, wrote in Make It in April that "your brain can continue to develop and change until old age." She emphasized that individuals can switch careers at 50, start playing the piano at 80, and learn new things at any point in their lives. With practice, they can improve their skills in almost anything.

Instead of repeatedly telling yourself "I can't do this," try reframing it as "I need more practice," as advised by Seppälä. Focusing on something you can do effortlessly and recalling the first time you accomplished that task can help alleviate doubts and increase confidence.

If you continue to try, the outcome of the new experience you attempted today will be the same as it was, according to Seppälä.

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