Two words (and their variations) that we have banned at Braathe Enterprises are confusion and frustration.
When people say that they are confused or frustrated, they are declaring themselves unable to do anything about it.
If people are “confused,” we’d rather hear them ask a clarifying question or for advice.
If people are “frustrated,” we’d rather have them seek encouragement or support from others before it reaches that point.
What word would you ban at your workplace?