9 High EQ Phrases That Make You Stand Out As a Classy Professional

Being classy in the workplace isn’t just about making a great impression with a polished appearance—it’s about having high emotional intelligence (EQ). People with high EQ have strong social and emotional regulation skills enabling them to understand other points of view, communicate effectively, control their emotions, avoid impulsive decisions and maintain calm and poise under pressure. These traits earn respect and build positive relationships that help them move up the corporate ladder. In fact, research shows that a high EQ predicts career success more than a high intelligence quotient (IQ). 

Unlike your fundamental personality, such as your Myers and Briggs type or your Big Five personality traits, EQ is fluid. You can improve from your current baseline (take Truity’s Emotional Intelligence test to discover what that is) by making a conscious effort to identify and regulate your emotions. Making a few tweaks to how you communicate with your coworkers and employers, such as using these nine high EQ phrases, is a good place to start. They can help you come across as someone with integrity, compassion and ethics—the consummate classy professional. 

“I appreciate you.” 

When someone turns in an excellent project or solves a problem, you might say, “Great job!” While the acknowledgement is nice, it is not especially meaningful. A study by Preply, which surveyed over 1,000 people in the U.S., found that the most important way to display high EQ is to tell someone, “I appreciate you/your work.” This phrase shows that you both recognize and value this person’s contribution, which can have a lasting positive impact on their motivation and self-esteem.

“How can I help you achieve/complete this?” 

This phrase is high EQ for several reasons. You have noticed that your colleague is overwhelmed and may need help, which shows good social awareness. But instead of taking over or undermining their ability to complete the work on their own, you offer support and guidance in whatever way works best for them. It puts the focus on their needs rather than your own agenda while simultaneously recognizing that success is a collective effort. Very classy.

“I’m listening.” 

According to research by UKG, a massive 86 percent of employees across 11 countries don’t feel like people are heard fairly or equally in their workplace. Researchers call this a "troubling inequity in the feedback loop" and say that people who feel unheard are likely to seek opportunities elsewhere. As a peer or a leader, it’s crucial to promote a culture of listening and respectful dialogue in the workplace. Telling someone who is overwhelmed, stressed or angry that you are listening to them and you empathize with their situation can go a long way in building trust and mutual respect while reducing the risk of misunderstandings and conflict.    

“Am I making sense?” 

Asking someone if they understand what you are saying can come across as condescending, like a lack of mutual understanding is their fault. They might be too shy or uncomfortable to tell you that, no, they don’t understand, or pretend they do to avoid embarrassing themselves. A better approach is to ask, “Is this making sense?” or “Do you have any questions about what I just said?” These high-EQ phrases maintain respect for how the other person processes information and helps them seek greater clarity on the topic. Use this phrase to check in with your team members to ensure everyone’s on the same page. 

“Let’s pause and come back to this.” 

People with high EQ know how to manage their emotions instead of letting them boil over, and they have the grace to recognize when others are reaching their boiling point too. By using this phrase, you are acknowledging that everyone has limits and continuing the conversation later can lead to better decision making. It's classy to understand that you don’t have to do anything right now, and the outcome of the conversation, and how people feel about the conversation, are ultimately more important than pressing forward in the moment. You'll come across as thoughtful while helping everyone process complex data or feelings with a clear head. 

“I make this mistake all the time…” 

It can be challenging to be empathetic when someone else’s mistake drops onto your overflowing desk. But, instead of raving at someone for their error, try this tip from author and Understandably founder Bill Murphy: say, “I make this mistake all the time. You could fix it by…” This phrase works by using compassion to make others feel understood. It also helps them to understand your thoughts on the situation or what you require from them in a more effective way than if you’re dishing out harsh criticism. 

“Let’s think this through together.” 

Collaborating with someone to solve a problem is not only productive, but it also shows that you are open to their perspectives. It is especially powerful if you are this person's manager, as it shows that you value their input and trust them to contribute to finding a solution. It places you on the same level and creates a sense of teamwork, rather than creating a hierarchical relationship where one person has all the answers. When you create a sense of “we” instead of “me,” you make others feel heard and foster connections with your coworkers.  

“This is an opportunity to try something different.” 

Having high EQ isn’t just about being self-controlled and empathetic—it’s also about being flexible and willing to adapt to situations. Flexibility can be a sign of EQ because  it shows that you are able to roll with the punches and find creative solutions to challenges, without getting overwhelmed or stuck in a rigid mindset. Using a phrase like, “This is an opportunity to try something different” during a process change or after a project failure shows your coworkers that you’re adaptable and optimistic during challenges. It motivates your team members and makes them feel like they can trust you to lead them.  

“Can you explain that in a different way?” 

This deceptively simple phrase shows confidence and class in several ways. First, it shows that you are self-aware enough to know when you don’t understand something as well as you might, and are self-confident enough to acknowledge it. Second, asking for clarification shows that you’re open-minded and willing to learn from others. This is especially important in a team setting where everyone has different strengths and perspectives. Third, this phrase is a considerate way of connecting with the other person instead of making assumptions or reacting emotionally. A low-EQ person might blame the other party or get defensive when their understanding is challenged. But a high-EQ person understands that there may be different interpretations and seeks to clarify before jumping to conclusions.