Manager catch phrases

Published

Specializes in ER.

We have a new manager at one of my jobs. Every interaction with her sounds like she's following a script learned at a leadership seminar. It feels very fake and insincere, and we all wish she'd go away.

She likes the phrase "I offer my sincere, professional apology" for instance. She sent an email with the minutes to the staff meeting, and offered the above phrase to preface her apology for sending it later than, I guess, she wanted to. She used it when she sent me an email with someone else's name. I heard her use the phrase in person as well. It's like dealing with an android or autobot.

She's full of lots of other canned catch phrases. There's lots of talk about team building, over the top praise, and followed by turds containing threats if we aren't compliant, then ending with some more sugary, team building cliches.

Have any of you experienced this? I'm not a fan of scripting. I'm sure there is value in learning leadership skills, but not if it turns you into an obvious phony.

Specializes in Med Surg/ICU/Psych/Emergency/CEN/retired.
We have a new manager at one of my jobs. Every interaction with her sounds like she's following a script learned at a leadership seminar. It feels very fake and insincere, and we all wish she'd go away.

She likes the phrase "I offer my sincere, professional apology" for instance. She sent an email with the minutes to the staff meeting, and offered the above phrase to preface her apology for sending it later than, I guess, she wanted to. She used it when she sent me an email with someone else's name. I heard her use the phrase in person as well. It's like dealing with an android or autobot.

She's full of lots of other canned catch phrases. There's lots of talk about team building, over the top praise, and followed by turds containing threats if we aren't compliant, then ending with some more sugary, team building cliches.

Have any of you experienced this? I'm not a fan of scripting. I'm sure there is value in learning leadership skills, but not if it turns you into an obvious phony.

Ugh. Yes, many times before I retired. The concept of "team building' is valuable but not to the extent the business model takes it. Don't get me started. Although healthcare is cast as a business, I despise most of what I've seen as a nurse and as a patient. i never ever bought the script, and I've voiced that opinion more than once. The one I dislike the most is, "I do apologize." I agree that it sounds very insincere, disingenuous and fake. Not that someone can't be sincere when apologizing. Is there any doubt where I stand? Keep up the good fight!

Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

I'm with you ... hate buzz words and scripted phrases. Just talk to me like a normal person.

Specializes in Healthcare risk management and liability.

Thank you for your input. You are a valued member of the team!

Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.
Thank you for your input. You are a valued member of the team!

I just set that as my email signature file.

Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.

"We're going to knock this one out of the park."

"There is no 'I' in 'team'."

"It is what it is."

Specializes in Medical-Surgical/Float Pool/Stepdown.

It takes a village :-/

It takes a village:-/

It takes a village :-/

(Insert headbag)

There's also been a lot more take about silos lately...

Specializes in Healthcare risk management and liability.
"We're going to knock this one out of the park."

"There is no 'I' in 'team'."

"It is what it is."

I like to say there is no "I" in team, but there are two "I"s in idiot.

Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.
It takes a village :-/

It takes a village:-/

It takes a village :-/

(Insert headbag)

There's also been a lot more take about silos lately...

That whole 'silos' thing.......ugh

But it's ok because..........I have the time!

Specializes in Emergency Dept. Trauma. Pediatrics.
We have a new manager at one of my jobs. Every interaction with her sounds like she's following a script learned at a leadership seminar. It feels very fake and insincere, and we all wish she'd go away.

She likes the phrase "I offer my sincere, professional apology" for instance. She sent an email with the minutes to the staff meeting, and offered the above phrase to preface her apology for sending it later than, I guess, she wanted to. She used it when she sent me an email with someone else's name. I heard her use the phrase in person as well. It's like dealing with an android or autobot.

She's full of lots of other canned catch phrases. There's lots of talk about team building, over the top praise, and followed by turds containing threats if we aren't compliant, then ending with some more sugary, team building cliches.

Have any of you experienced this? I'm not a fan of scripting. I'm sure there is value in learning leadership skills, but not if it turns you into an obvious phony.

What in the world is a professional apology?? I have never heard this before and it's cracking me up because an apology is an apology, didn't know there was a professional version and a unprofessional version. I have also never understood the "sincere" apology. All apologies should be sincere or what's the point of the apology?

Specializes in Healthcare risk management and liability.

As a risk manager, I have the opportunity to do a lot of apologizing on behalf of the providers, staff and organization. I like to say that years of marriage have made me an expert in apologizing for things that aren't even my fault.

Specializes in Hospice / Psych / RNAC.

"What do you mean you assumed? What are the first 3 letters of assumed...that's right, and that's what you are when you assume."

So I researched it and now I say "presume" (gotcha!) :sneaky:

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