You’re a nice person—and you never want anyone to think otherwise, especially not your co-workers, the lovely people you sit next to five days a week (in non pandemic cases) So, in an effort to always be kind, you water down feedback by saying things like, “Maybe it’s just me, but…” And while those kinds of comment qualifiers are usually coming from a good place, chances are the person receiving it won’t take it that way. They’ll think you’re just being passive-aggressive and not-so-subtly hiding what you’re really trying to say. To prevent you from ever being that person, here are three phrases you should avoid in meetings based on my very own (and very common) experiences—plus, bonus, I tell you how to say what you’re thinking in a more straightforward, but polite way. 1. “I Was Surprised/Confused/Curious About…” What the Person Hears: “You’re Wrong.” I worked with a woman who often tried disguise her criticism in this way. Rather than just being upfront that she didn’t