50 Phrases That Kill Creativity

Here are Fifty Phrases That Kill Creativity. Avoid them like the plague.

1. We tried that before.
2. Our place is different.
3. It costs too much.
4. That’s not my job.
5. They’re too busy to do that.
6. We don’t have the time.
7. Not enough help.
8. It’s too radical a change.
9. The staff will never buy it.
10. It’s against company policy.
11. The union will scream.
12. Runs up our overhead.
13. We don’t have the authority.
14. Let’s get back to reality.
15. That’s not our problem.
16. I don’t like the idea.
17. You’re right, but…
18. You’re two years ahead of your time.
19. We’re not ready
20. It isn’t in the budget.
21. Can’t teach an old dog new tricks.
22. Good thought, but impractical.
23. Let’s give it more thought.
24. We’ll be the laughingstock of the industry.
25. Not that again.
26. Where’d you dig that one up?
27. We did all right without it.
28. It’s never been tried before.
29. Let’s put that one on the back burner for now.
30. Let’s form a committee.
31. I don’t see the connection.
32. It won’t work in our plant/office.
33. The executive committee would never go for it.
34. Let’s all sleep on it.
35. It can’t be done.
36. It’s too much trouble to change.
37. It won’t pay for itself.
38. It’s impossible.
39. I know a person who tried it.
40. We’ve always done it this way.
41. Top management won’t buy it.
42. We’d lose money in the long run.
43. Don’t rock the boat.
44. That’s what we can expect from the staff.
45. Has anyone else ever tried it?
46. Let’s look into it further (later).
47. Quit dreaming.
48. That won’t work in our school.
49. That’s too much ivory tower.
50. It’s too much work

– Dave Dufour