Have you ever been in a conversation with a colleague or manager where you’re trying to offer advice or guidance, only to be met with the classic phrase That’s easy for you to say? It can be frustrating, to say the least. You’re trying to help, but the other person is dismissing your efforts, implying that you don’t understand their struggles.

But fear not, dear reader! There are ways to respond to this phrase with empathy and humor, turning a potentially prickly situation into an opportunity for connection and growth. Here are some strategies and example sentences to help you navigate this conversation with ease:

Acknowledge their feelings

When someone says That’s easy for you to say, they’re often feeling overwhelmed or frustrated. Show that you understand and care about their emotions.

I can see why you’d feel that way. It sounds like you’re really struggling with this.

I get it, this can be tough. Let’s break it down together and see what we can do to make it more manageable.

Use self-deprecation

Add a dash of humor to the conversation by poking fun at yourself. This can help put the other person at ease and make them more receptive to your advice.

Fair point, I have been known to be a bit of a Pollyanna. But seriously, I think this might help…

I’m not saying it’s going to be easy, but I’ve been in similar situations and I’ve learned a thing or two. Maybe we can figure it out together?

Ask open-ended questions

Encourage the other person to share more about their concerns and challenges. This can help you better understand their perspective and offer more targeted advice.

What makes you feel like this is an impossible task? Is there something specific holding you back?

How do you think we could approach this differently? What are your ideas?

Share a personal anecdote

If you’ve been in a similar situation, share a quick story about how you overcame the challenge. This can help the other person see that you’re not just spouting theory, but speaking from experience.

I remember when I was in a similar spot, I felt like I was drowning in tasks. But then I started prioritizing and focusing on one thing at a time. It made all the difference.

I’ve been there too, feeling like I didn’t have the skills or resources to tackle a project. But I learned to ask for help and seek out guidance from others. It was a game-changer.

Offer tangible help

Instead of just offering advice, offer to help in a concrete way. This can be as simple as offering to brainstorm together or helping with a specific task.

Let’s sit down and brainstorm some solutions together. Sometimes just talking it through can help clarify things.

I’m happy to help you with that task. How about we divvy it up and tackle it together?

In conclusion, when faced with the phrase That’s easy for you to say, remember to approach the conversation with empathy, humor, and a willingness to listen. By acknowledging the other person’s feelings, using self-deprecation, asking open-ended questions, sharing personal anecdotes, and offering tangible help, you can turn a potentially negative interaction into a positive and productive one. So the next time someone says That’s easy for you to say, take a deep breath, smile, and respond with empathy and humor.

Be kind ❤