Words that CONFUSE. Everyone nods, but nobody means the same thing. Alignment, culture, balance

Words that LET PEOPLE OFF THE HOOK. No owner, no date, no decision. Circle back, I'll get back to you, we should

Words that SHUT DOWN. The conversation ends and people stop telling you things. Accountability, "that's a great question" as a deflection

Words that DIVIDE. They land one way with you and another way with them. Boundaries, hustle, quiet quitting, culture fit

Words that ring HOLLOW. They've been said so often nobody believes them. Synergy, authentic, open door

Words that SHRINK you. They tell a story where you have no choices. I have to, I can't, they made me

Words that OPEN things up. They give you an option you didn't know you had. Pause, enough, ubuntu, and your "president" story