In-positive / Surprise url
Seeing a magic trick
- That’s amazing.
- I can’t believe my eyes.
- Now you see it, now you don’t.
- It’s unbelievable.
- It’s absolutely extraordinary.
- I’ve never been so surprised in all my life.
- I’ve never seen anything like it.
- That’s the strangest think I’ve ever seen.
- I’m dumbfounded.
- If I hadn’t seen it with my own two eyes, I never would have believed it.
- Did you see what I saw?
- Look at that!
- Now you see them, now you don’t.
Seeing a magic trick
Out-neutral / Negotiating url
We are adversaries
- It’s every man for himself.
- Let’s face it, we’re on opposite sides of the fence.
- I’m not willing to wait.
- I beg to differ with you.
- You give me no choice.
- It’s a dog eat dog world.
- I’m just acting in my own best interest, and I expect you to do the same.
- May the best man win!
- That goes both ways.
- That’s for me to know and you to find out.
- I’m ready to play hardball.
- Take it or leave it.
- Don’t ask me any questions and I won’t tell you any lies.
- I’m dead set against it.
- I need the whole kit and caboodle.
- All’s fair in love and war.
We are adversaries
Out-neutral / Advice url
Accept it-2
- You brought it on yourself.
- Start facing the facts.
- Profit from the experience.
- You have to make the best of it.
- Put the entire situation behind you.
- You can’t have everything.
- It the shoe fits wear it.
- Just accept it on face value.
- There’s nothing you can do about it.
- Forgive and forget.
- You asked for it.
- We can try to do things differently in the future, but it’s too late now to change what already happened.
- When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.
- Try to make the best of a bad situation.
- Better luck next time.
Accept it-2
Out-positive / Encouragement url
For a fellow worker who is hesitant to present a new idea to the boss
- There’s nothing to be afraid of.
- You have nothing to worry about.
- Don’t sell yourself short.
- What’s holding you back?
- What could go wrong?
- Your fears are your worst enemy.
- I'm sure they're going to appreciate your trying.
- You have nothing to lose, and everything to gain.
- At the very worst, they won't use your idea, but it’s certainly not going to hurt anything.
- What's the downside?
- Grab the brass ring.
- Maybe they’ll take you up on it.
- What’s the worst case scenario?
- Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
- No pain, no gain.
- Speak up and make yourself heard.
- You don’t have to sell yourself to me, screw up your courage and say what you have to say to the powers that be.
- Just remind yourself that speaking up is not a bad choice, mind you.
- Don’t worry, they’ll understand.
- They’re on the up and up, and they’re not going to pull any punches.
- You need to stand up for yourself.
- I think you should jump at the opportunity.
- It never hurts to ask.
For a fellow worker who is hesitant to present a new idea to the boss
Out-positive / Concern url
After a friend found out that a mistake he made led to internet identity theft
- I feel bad for you.
- You’ve been taken to the cleaners.
- You left yourself wide open.
- You’re as white as a sheet.
- Your temperature is quite high, and I can feel by your forehead that you’re burning up, so why don’t you just lie down and take it easy for a while until you feel better.
- You’re an old softy.
- Now you’ve really gotten yourself into a pickle.
- I don’t like the sound of this.
- You’re nothing but a push over.
After a friend found out that a mistake he made led to internet identity theft
Out-neutral / Advice url
Be Resourceful
- Try to find a clever solution that would be like killing two birds with one stone.
- Here's an idea that you might find useful.
- Fight fire with fire.
- You should have thought of that before, but now you'll have to make up for lost time.
- Hold onto it, because you never know when it will come in handy.
- Drink some coffee, or take a quick nap, and that might perk you up.
- If you put your thinking cap on, maybe you’ll come up with a creative solution.
- Rise to the occasion.
- Put your thinking cap on.
- Try to come up with an 'out-of-the-box' solution.
- I came up with idea from out of the blue.
- I think that a solution to this problem might require a paradigm shift, a whole new way of looking at the situation.
- Ahah!
Be Resourceful
Out-positive / Agreement url
Do you mind if I take the car to shop for food?
- That’s fine with me.
- By all means.
- Be my guest.
- That’s cool with me.
- I don’t mind at all.
Do you mind if I take the car to shop for food?
Out-neutral / Advice url
Let it go
- Don’t prolong the agony.
- Get your mind off the subject.
- Let yourself go.
- Let it all hang out.
- Don’t dwell on it.
- Go with the flow.
- Let it flow freely.
- Put it all behind you.
- The best thing is to roll with the punches.
- A watched pot never boils.
Let it go
Out-neutral / Advice url
Caution-2
- Leave it well enough alone.
- You’ll regret it in the morning.
- Let sleeping dogs lie.
- Don’t stir up a hornets nest.
- It’s going to backfire on you.
- Don’t rock the boat.
- Your actions might actually make it harder for you to accomplish what you want.
- Those are famous last words.
- Take it one step at a time.
- Sink your teeth into it, and take your time to appreciate the pros and cons of the new situation before you call it a day.
- Hold that thought.
- You lucked out on that one, but next time you may not be as lucky.
- Don’t say I didn’t warn you.
- It’s always good to ask.
- It's spreading like wild fire.
- Don't count your chickens before they hatch.
- Don’t jump the gun.
- Don’t even think about it.
- You’re leaving yourself wide open.
- I understand how much you want it, but it costs an arm and a leg, and it’s just not worth it.
- Easy does it.
Caution-2
In-positive / Realizing url
Seeing who won the election
- It’s all coming together.
- It’s long overdue.
- The results are in, and no one is more surprised that I am.
- That explains everything.
- I could feel it in my bones.
- Stop the presses, we finally see the naked truth.
- I shouldn’t be surprised.
- That’s just what I thought.
- Now the truth comes out.
Seeing who won the election
Out-neutral / Negotiating url
I’m trying to see your viewpoint-1
- What are you trying to say?
- I’ll think about it.
- I’m open to your suggestions.
- I’m trying to see it through your eyes.
- I’m willing to learn.
- I’ll think about it and let you know.
- You’re entitled to your opinion.
- Just what do you mean by that?
- I’ll try to keep it in mind.
- You want to run that by me again?
- Can you tell me the difference?
I’m trying to see your viewpoint-1
In-negative / Disappointment url
Employee feeling unappreciated
- I worked so hard for them, and all I got was a measly pat on the back.
- I feel so un-appreciated.
- I feel like I’m being exploited, but there doesn’t seem to be too much I can do to stop it.
- It’s the same old thing all over again.
- I feel like I’ve really been through the mill.
- I expected more.
- I think I deserve to be treated better.
- I’m not a happy camper.
Employee feeling unappreciated