Three workplace phrases to drop, new research suggests, and what it means for Thai offices
A rising voice in workplace communication says three phrases many professionals slip into every day are quietly eroding credibility, particularly for women seeking to speak up or lead. The message comes from Kate Mason, PhD, a former world champion debater turned executive coach and founder of Hedgehog + Fox, who argues that these “minimizing” phrases—meant to be polite or considerate—often backfire, signaling that what you’re about to say is unworthy of serious attention. In her view, the pattern, which she labels an “imposing syndrome,” can constrain careers and widen gaps in presentation, influence, and advancement. Mason’s new insights appear in her latest work, and they sharpen a timely question for Thai workplaces: how often do everyday courtesy phrases undermine the very leadership and expertise many employees bring to their teams?