Blunt: You are overcomplicating this
Polite: Being mindful of timelines. Let’s concentrate on the initial scope.
Blunt: That meeting sounds like a waste of my time
Polite: I’m unable to add value to this meeting but I would be happy to review the minutes.
Blunt: I told you so
Polite: As per my prediction, this outcome does not come as a surprise.
Blunt: That sounds like a horrible idea
Polite: Are we confident that this is the best solution or are we still exploring alternatives?
Blunt: I already told you this
Polite: As Indicated prior
Blunt: Can you answer all of the questions I asked and not just pick and choose one
Polite: Are you able to provide some clarity around the other questions previously asked?
Blunt: Did you even read my email?
Polite: Reattaching my email to provide further clarity
I’ll provide an update when I have one
Blunt: Stop bothering me
Polite: You have not heard from me because further information is not available at this time, Once I have an update I’ll be sure to loop you in.
Blunt: I don’t want to talk to you right now!
Polite: I am currently tied up with something but I will connect with you once I am free.
Blunt: Do your job!
Polite: It is my understanding that you are the appropriate person to contact in regards to this. But If there’s is someone better equipped for this let me know.
Blunt: That's not my job
Polite: This falls outside of my responsibilities but I would be happy to connect you with someone who can help.
Blunt: Stop assigning me so many tasks if you want any of them to get done
Polite: As my workload is quite heavy, can you help me understand what I should reprioritize to accommodate this new task?
Blunt: answer my emails
Polite: If there’s a better way to get in contact with you please let me know as I am hoping to have this resolved as soon as possible
Blunt: This is not my problem
Polite: I recommend directing this issue to [Name] as they have the proper expertise to best assist you
Blunt: If you would have read the whole email you’d know the answer to this
Polite: I have included my initial email below which contains all of the details you are looking for.
Blunt: I have absolutely no idea what you are talking about
Polite: Can you help me better understand what exactly is it that you require on my end?
Blunt: Stop micromanaging
Polite: I am confident in my ability to complete this project and will be sure to reach out, If or when I require your input.
Blunt: Please hurry and get this done!
Polite: It is important that we have this completed in order to meet our targeted deadlines which are quickly approaching.
Blunt: Stay in your own lane
Polite: Thank you for your input. I’ll keep that in mind as I move forward with decisions that fall within my responsibilities
Blunt: I’ve told you this multiple times
Polite: There seems to be a disconnect here as this information has already been provided
Blunt: I’m not doing your job for you
Polite: I do not have the capacity to take this on in addition to my own workload but I’m happy to support where it makes sense.
Blunt: We do not need to have a meeting about this.
Polite: Being respectful of everyone's time let's discuss this through email until we have a more defined agenda
Blunt: Did you just take credit for my work?
Polite: It is great to see my ideas being exposed to a wider audience and I would have appreciated the opportunity to have been included in the delivery.
Blunt: Google that your self
Polite: The internet is a great resource for these types of questions and I am available to clarify elements that you are not able to find online.
Blunt: What you are saying does not make sense
Polite: We seem to have a different understanding on this. Can you elaborate further on your thought process here?
Blunt: I am not paid enough to do this
Polite: This falls out of my job description but if the opportunity for a role expansion becomes available I would be happy to discuss reworking my contract to better align with these new responsibilities
Blunt: I totally forgot about your email
Polite: Thank you for your patience
Blunt: I'm going to need a whole lot of more information if you want me to do this
Polite: Please let me know when further details become available as I require more information to successfully complete this task
Blunt: Stop calling me before my workday even starts
Polite: If you need to contact me, please note that my working hours being at 8 am and 6 pm. Communications received prior to this won't be seen.
Blunt: Check your inbox, I already sent this to you!
Polite: I previously sent you an email regarding that but please let me know if something went wrong in transit
Blunt: I couldn't care less
Polite: I will defer to your judgment on this as I am not passionate either way and I trust your expertise.
Blunt: I told you so and now this is your problem
Polite: I did previously note that this was a likely outcome. How do you plan to resolve this?
Blunt: Stop trying to make me do your work!
Polite: I am not able to offer you additional support in completing your workload