Turn your "Sorry"s into "Thanks" at Workplace

Advaita Suresh Jan 12, 2024

Have you ever caught yourself saying "sorry" when there's really nothing to apologize for? It's like our default setting, right? But guess what - these unnecessary apologies might be sneakily chipping away at our confidence.

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Here are the best alternatives we've kicked out of our work vocab - and what we should say instead.

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[{"selector":"#anim-6fd22204-3a77-4a14-97ec-fa611cdd0d8e [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(33.684604781864856%, 0, 0) translate(25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.14,.34,.47,.9)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-58c575bb-b570-4dfd-9fbf-be609d464e25","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-100.4%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":600,"duration":500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-336a0ce1-2b6a-4dca-a4d7-eb5648bb105d","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":600,"duration":500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-a1b3c75e-4165-4908-a66d-4ab25bcd4cb7","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":600,"duration":500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-529ba66c-ee3a-4d5a-91f0-751c09b02df5","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-112.46106%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":600,"duration":500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-7d6adce1-3c79-48d0-ab85-e1e56c527169","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":600,"duration":500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-568cf4c4-f1c8-4b4a-98f3-8afc38ce9a80","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":600,"duration":500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] Sorry for rescheduling. - Thanks for being flexible!

[{"selector":"#anim-4c6f133e-d797-4c7a-bc00-9c1ea1f0339e [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(31.249999886225726%, 0, 0) translate(25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.14,.34,.47,.9)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e4117f52-a0c3-4bb4-a0c6-2f492ece43bd","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-112.46106%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":600,"duration":500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-6442d4a5-7339-4195-8077-6fb70d0e3a30","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":600,"duration":500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-dcc889e7-2d3c-4b5c-b668-d70747c5fe35","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":600,"duration":500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-ae322df0-cc5b-40ed-a984-833068a72211","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-100.4%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":600,"duration":500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-267ccccb-3012-4569-9f86-7c57425e785c","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":600,"duration":500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c9d62623-3497-46f5-8a9f-e268eda651d4","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":600,"duration":500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] Sorry for venting - Thanks for listening.

[{"selector":"#anim-50c57587-8598-4a80-81fc-529eaec54cce [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(28.90624987200394%, 0, 0) translate(25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.14,.34,.47,.9)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-30dedaaf-e886-4640-a875-863dfee46770","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-112.46106%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":600,"duration":500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d9e4ea5b-3378-4695-8abe-c70fba259ef5","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":600,"duration":500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8f021e95-3121-415d-93ef-31095be70e4a","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":600,"duration":500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-4884d426-d12b-43f9-bf59-cb0153783631","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-100.4%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":600,"duration":500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-60f77e48-6c0f-4d2e-abb4-8422181596c8","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":600,"duration":500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8981f6b1-7f60-4e33-a68b-70cb53d7f053","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":600,"duration":500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] Sorry for running late - Thanks so much for waiting.

[{"selector":"#anim-4e99985d-f623-4357-a151-6b10de7ee1ba [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(7.812499744007886%, 0, 0) translate(25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.14,.34,.47,.9)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-b69185b7-022c-45c5-8637-94171544606f","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-112.46106%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":600,"duration":500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-2783bd52-47b4-4c36-8d5c-f546a347fde3","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":600,"duration":500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-996bf40e-2172-43b4-b3de-8c6429eacbe4","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":600,"duration":500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-14b6fcbf-0da7-4da1-9b69-ec36e6681b71","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-100.4%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":600,"duration":500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-586d47e8-9470-4ec2-a51d-344dd58185a3","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":600,"duration":500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-eb5e473d-0711-4222-aec7-82bf099a77ef","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":600,"duration":500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] Sorry I had to take that call - Thanks for your patience!

[{"selector":"#anim-6dbcc2dc-f91a-4f69-bef2-cd4ec3a08135 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(31.24831100132987%, 0, 0) translate(25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.14,.34,.47,.9)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-aba3ba4a-e1dc-4cf0-94b9-ed216cff4925","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-112.46106%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":600,"duration":500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-5cc68a30-0e21-4643-aba7-4f6a8f9dcc0d","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":600,"duration":500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-341f44b4-b0b3-404f-a0a2-be8dc3a25c2c","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":600,"duration":500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-b191ac11-21eb-4428-a164-b6c971345da5","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-100.4%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":600,"duration":500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c0e53803-cb75-4729-957a-a29323f19af7","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":600,"duration":500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f79ad929-2da6-4c97-afce-eb03b2d00d98","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":600,"duration":500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] Sorry for jumping in - I have an idea that may help.

[{"selector":"#anim-3e5555aa-3bf6-47bb-82d1-7a12edae469f [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(31.249999886225726%, 0, 0) translate(25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.14,.34,.47,.9)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-fd9b19fd-97f2-442a-aa76-296ace93560e","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-112.46106%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":600,"duration":500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-85753159-18d2-4b8c-9d88-b3e721d3cbd3","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":600,"duration":500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-4ece605e-625a-4320-8656-d03817fbd9b9","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":600,"duration":500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-be92c2fd-be28-4a20-9df2-c60662da5a87","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-100.4%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":600,"duration":500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-452c020f-7830-4ecd-a1db-a2bf038621ff","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":600,"duration":500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-ba064017-c655-4b97-a020-92e8d10ec05d","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":600,"duration":500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] Sorry for the mistake - Thanks for catching that!

[{"selector":"#anim-c3209eda-68fd-4d60-9e35-b99e4d28f8dc [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(41.96477594202362%, 0, 0) translate(25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.14,.34,.47,.9)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-ec8a454a-cc6a-47a0-9048-d7571f0886d6","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-112.46106%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":600,"duration":500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c305ca8f-3c26-4a23-93d5-d3b89c71ddf0","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":600,"duration":500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-4ec1739a-afb0-4114-9f43-a3a94c87fe47","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":600,"duration":500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8ceff66b-a421-4113-86b0-6e856466b181","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-100.4%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":600,"duration":500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-14f6c027-b87f-49c6-a32f-655d2aa4b945","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":600,"duration":500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-ad4285d3-1249-4b22-a5c8-a9867d25fffb","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":600,"duration":500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] Sorry, I don't get it - Could you repeat that? I just want to be clear.

[{"selector":"#anim-4ff85cc2-ee40-4c73-bd8d-022ae2798373 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(31.247802792235362%, 0, 0) translate(25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.14,.34,.47,.9)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-a4549c65-2511-4de3-8650-0147cd2d9874","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-112.46106%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":600,"duration":500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-b73d38d7-d424-4a62-9d36-dc3fdc350da7","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":600,"duration":500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d54680b8-7094-4725-a882-8ef6efc4be5d","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":600,"duration":500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c488aea6-1992-4abf-9fc7-15cb464d627e","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-100.4%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":600,"duration":500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-2ba977f2-998a-415c-b335-123304f540d6","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":600,"duration":500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c813d92b-f8cf-4a3a-b741-cfab74e18c16","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":600,"duration":500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] Sorry for taking your time - Thank you for your time; I appreciate it.

[{"selector":"#anim-774c2e0f-934a-45b7-92e3-455437199fad [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(31.249999886225726%, 0, 0) translate(25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.14,.34,.47,.9)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-cb0b3c79-1edb-4671-a5e8-c3fc9b9f7b44","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-112.46106%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":600,"duration":500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-eb5872f0-2e0f-4b08-bf08-749aad4276a0","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":600,"duration":500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-5dea62bc-1be7-44e3-ab4c-6d690aceaf6a","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":600,"duration":500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-cba762e6-3cc8-45a8-bbb1-00154db9c4bc","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-100.4%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":600,"duration":500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-6c301ebd-15f4-45d5-81af-f252415606bf","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":600,"duration":500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-af82719c-67e0-4632-a819-f2d300b5dec3","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":600,"duration":500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] Sorry, I need your help - I would appreciate your assistance with this