Stop casually saying "Thank you for your hard work!"
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Response to an article
The article I wrote last night [Stop saying “Take your time!”] (http://www.workhack.today/2017/10/take-your-time.html) was originally just to remind myself. Unexpectedly, after it was published, it received a lot of responses. I was surprised and delighted, and decided to share with you another sentence that should be used with caution.
“Thank you for your hard work!”
Just like “Take your time!”, “You have worked hard!” The starting point of this sentence is definitely goodwill and thoughtfulness. It is also a sentence that everyone often communicates or says in the workplace or in daily life, right?
The tone implicit in the words
But why do these words that sound so thoughtful make me feel more and more cautious about using them? In the past, I often said “Thank you for your hard work!” to my friends, colleagues or work partners, but this sentence implies a superior-downward tone - if you are senior and senior, then maybe it is not harmful to say this, but if you are talking to your peers or friends of similar age and seniority, you may need to be careful!
Communication is a science
Communication is originally a science, but also a philosophy and art. The same sentence, said by different people or on different occasions, will often produce different effects. Some people don’t feel dissatisfied, but it is inevitable that some friends are more sensitive. To be on the safe side, if you can use words like “Sorry for bothering you!” instead, it may be more appropriate than “Sorry for bothering you!”
Just like Xie Wenxian (Brother Xian) said, “Don’t care about right or wrong, just care about being flexible in changing gears.” It is always good to pay more attention to your identity and the environment you are in when dealing with others.
Occasionally put yourself in others’ shoes and examine your own behavior from the perspective of others. Not only can you leave some space for communication with each other, but it can also serve as a small reminder to yourself. Let’s work together, okay?
★ Photo Credit: Zoltan Tasi
