1. “You’ll figure it out!”
This is the workplace equivalent of tossing someone the keys to a moving vehicle and shouting “Good luck!” as you back away. It’s often used when the speaker either doesn’t know how to help or doesn’t want to. While it sounds supportive on the surface, it usually signals that no actual guidance is coming. In fast-paced or understaffed workplaces, this phrase is especially common because people genuinely don’t have time to train others properly.
Saying “You’ll figure it out” can be empowering in the right context, like when someone is already halfway there. But when said to a new hire trying to decode an undocumented process, it’s more of a shrug in sentence form. It also shifts responsibility—if they don’t figure it out, well, that’s on them. So yeah, “encouragement” is doing a lot of work here.
2. “Just be yourself.”
This seems like a nice reminder to bring your authentic self to work—but it’s often a vague placeholder for actual feedback. When someone is struggling with office politics, unclear expectations, or cultural fit, “just be yourself” does exactly nothing to help. It also subtly implies that if you’re not thriving, maybe your self is the problem. That’s a dangerous message in a professional context.
In practice, this phrase is sometimes used when managers want to dodge more difficult conversations about behavior, communication style, or workplace norms. It can be particularly confusing for people from marginalized backgrounds who may already feel pressure to code-switch or conform. If being yourself were truly enough, there wouldn’t be so many onboarding guides and unspoken rules. So while it sounds friendly, it often comes with invisible asterisks.
3. “It’s a great opportunity for growth.”
This one’s a classic sugarcoat. It usually shows up right before someone gets overloaded, underpaid, or asked to fix a mess they didn’t make. The phrase hints that enduring hardship is somehow a promotion in disguise. Real growth opportunities typically come with resources, mentorship, and some level of choice—not chaos.
When someone says this, they’re often trying to frame a challenge as a favor. And while it can be a good thing to stretch beyond your comfort zone, not every fire drill builds character. Sometimes it just burns you out. So if you hear this, look for what kind of “growth” they really mean.
4. “You’ve got this.”
This is another feel-good phrase that can feel hollow depending on when and how it’s used. It tends to appear right before you’re thrown into something unfamiliar without a plan, a briefing, or backup. The confidence may be appreciated—but it often replaces actual support. Encouragement without help is just decoration.
Used sincerely, it can be great fuel before a big presentation or tough meeting. But when paired with silence or absence, it can feel like you’re being left alone to sink or swim. In high-stress environments, it can sound more like “I’m not getting involved.” So always check whether “You’ve got this” comes with a lifeline or just a pat on the back.
5. “Let me know if you need anything.”
This sounds generous and open—but often serves as a conversational exit ramp. It places the burden of asking on the overwhelmed person, who may not even know what they need yet. In reality, most people won’t follow up unless there’s a specific offer or check-in. It’s one of those polite-sounding gestures that often leads nowhere.
Managers and coworkers say this to seem helpful without committing to anything. It’s a noncommittal way to end a conversation and avoid proactive support. It also assumes the person feels safe and comfortable asking for help, which isn’t always the case. In short: nice words, but often no follow-through.
6. “We all wear a lot of hats here.”
This usually means: “We’re understaffed, and you’re about to be overworked.” It’s a charming way to frame burnout as team spirit. While it might sound flexible or entrepreneurial, it often signals a lack of boundaries and unclear roles. You’ll likely find yourself doing work that falls well outside your job description.
This phrase is common in startups, nonprofits, and small businesses. It can be exciting if you’re trying to gain broad experience quickly—but not so great if you were hoping for structure. It also makes it hard to say no, because everyone’s expected to be a “team player.” Translation: good luck juggling.
7. “That’s above my pay grade.”
This one’s usually said with a shrug and a smile—but it means “don’t expect me to intervene.” It signals that even if they know what’s going wrong, they’re not going to stick their neck out. It’s often a way to avoid accountability while sounding like a team player. And it can be especially frustrating when you need help navigating office politics or power dynamics.
People use this when they don’t feel empowered to act—or just don’t want to get involved. It’s a reminder that not everyone will go to bat for you, even if they see the problem. In more toxic environments, it’s a warning that hierarchy matters more than fairness. Encouraging? Maybe. But also a quiet “you’re on your own.”
8. “It’s just how we do things here.”
This one sounds like a helpful orientation tip, but it’s really a conversation ender. It often comes up when someone questions inefficiencies, outdated systems, or toxic behavior. Rather than explain or reflect, the speaker uses tradition as a shield. It shuts down improvement while pretending to be informative.
It’s a red flag in any environment trying to pass off inertia as culture. If something is clearly broken but everyone defends it with this phrase, change will be slow or nonexistent. It can be especially demoralizing for new hires bringing in fresh ideas. So when you hear this, take note: they’re not just defending the process—they’re protecting the status quo.
9. “There’s a learning curve.”
Fair enough—most jobs do have one. But this phrase is often used to excuse poor onboarding, missing documentation, or chaotic handoffs. It shifts the issue from structural problems to personal aptitude. In other words: if you struggle, it’s not the system—it’s you.
It’s frequently tossed at new hires as a catch-all explanation for everything going wrong. While it can be a genuine heads-up, more often it’s a blanket excuse for why things are harder than they should be. You’re left wondering if you’re just not getting it, when in fact no one ever fully explained it. So yes, there’s a learning curve—but sometimes it’s vertical because the ladder’s broken.
10. “Welcome to the team!”
This sounds cheerful, and usually is—but sometimes it’s said with a tone that implies, “Buckle up.” Depending on the context, it can mean you’re entering a high-turnover, high-stress, or chaotic environment. It’s often code for “we’re glad you’re here, but also—good luck figuring out what you just walked into.” Not always sinister, but worth watching.
If people say it with nervous laughter or a knowing smile, take note. They may be signaling more than just excitement. Sometimes it’s sincere. Other times, it’s a soft launch into the workplace equivalent of Survivor.
11. “We like to move fast here.”
Speed is great—until it becomes an excuse for everything else falling apart. This phrase often means decisions are rushed, communication is sloppy, and burnout is baked into the culture. It’s code for “you won’t have time to ask questions.” And it sets the expectation that keeping up is your problem, not theirs.
You’ll often hear this in tech companies, sales teams, or aggressive startups. It can be thrilling if you’re wired for chaos, but disorienting if you value clarity or stability. It also means mistakes are likely—and often brushed off. Encouraging? Maybe. But mostly a heads-up to sprint or be left behind.
12. “We’re like a family.”
This one can be comforting or creepy—sometimes both. While it might suggest closeness and trust, it also tends to blur professional boundaries. Families don’t have clear job descriptions, work-life balance, or HR departments. So when companies say this, what they often mean is: expect emotional labor and loyalty, not structure.
It also makes it harder to speak up when something’s wrong. You’re not just criticizing a process—you’re questioning “the family.” In toxic cultures, this phrase is weaponized to guilt people into silence or overwork. Sounds warm, but sometimes it burns.
13. “We trust you.”
On its own, this is a beautiful sentiment. But in practice, it’s sometimes used to justify giving someone zero direction and a whole lot of responsibility. It implies confidence, but also leaves the person without a net. “We trust you” often means “Don’t ask for help—we’re assuming you’ll just deliver.”
In the best environments, trust is paired with communication, resources, and room to fail. But in others, it’s just a nice way to distance managers from outcomes. If something goes wrong, they can say “Well, we trusted them.” Encouraging? Sure. But also a potential setup.
14. “You’re doing great.”
Everyone likes praise—but if it comes at weird times, it can feel… off. Sometimes it’s said when you’re clearly overwhelmed or floundering, as a way to avoid engaging more deeply. It may be meant kindly, but without real feedback, it’s empty calories. The more out-of-sync it is with reality, the more it sounds like a way to dodge real support.
It’s especially common in chaotic environments where leaders are too busy to check in meaningfully. They throw this out like confetti, hoping it’ll be enough to keep morale up. But vague praise doesn’t build confidence—it builds confusion. So next time someone tells you you’re doing great, ask yourself: At what, exactly?
This post 14 Things You Can Say in an American Workplace That Sound Encouraging But Actually Mean “Good Luck Surviving” was first published on American Charm.
