If you want to crush a project manager's spirit, say one of these ten things.

Also, as a project manager, you may be saying these things to yourself. This is just as destructive as someone saying them to you. So pay attention to your own self-talk! (I may or may not have said all of these things to myself at some point.)

Here are the ten statements that will crush a project manager's spirit. Substitute "I" for "you" in the statements below if you want to evaluate your own self talk.

1. I can't believe you missed that.

2. You should have planned for that.

3. I can't count on you.

4. I'm not sure I can trust what's going on here.

5. This project is so disorganized.

6. You're playing favorites.

7. You don't know what you're talking about.

8. How could you let that happen?

9. No one likes what you're doing.

10. You're not qualified to be here.