As a team member, it can feel like everything - your energy, your motivation even how you see yourself -can depend on your manager, from their everyday style to their mood that day.

And as a manager, you’re expected to deliver results and develop your team. But how do you do that without becoming a leader that people feel they have to tiptoe around? Sometimes, just a few well-chosen words can reshape how your team sees you - and how they see themselves. Watch the roleplay video to see how to do this in under 5 minutes, and read the rest of the blog for tips on putting it into practice with your team.

These words sound simple, but they carry a powerful message about leadership, collaboration and respect.

Why Simple Words Matter

At work, it’s easy for employees to feel like they’re working for you. After all, you’re the one approving projects, giving feedback and making decisions that directly impact their jobs (and lives). But as a manager, your role goes far beyond daily to-do's. You influence how they see their career, how they grow professionally and even how much stress (or confidence) they carry when they go home.

You may know that your role is to support your team, not control them. But power dynamics don’t always feel that way from the other side. If you don’t say it out loud, people may not know it.

A few words can make the difference between employees seeing you as “the boss they work for” versus a leader who's there to help them.

The Eight Words That Shift Perspective

So, what’s the phrase?

“You don’t work for me, we work together.”

Here’s why saying this matters:

- It flattens the hierarchy. You’re still the manager, but you’re also part of the team.

- It builds respect. It’s not about control - it’s about the value everyone brings.

- It motivates. People want to give more to leaders who see them as partners, not subordinates.

- It sticks. Your team might forget a long speech, but they’ll remember this.

Addressing the Pushback

Some employees may hear this and think: “If we really work together, why don’t we get paid the same?”

It’s a very human (and fair) thought. And it’s important to be clear: saying these words doesn’t erase your responsibilities or minimize your role. As a manager, you carry accountability, you’re held to a different standard and yes - you may have a higher salary to reflect that.

But your role isn’t about being above your team. It’s about supporting them. Saying these eight words reinforces that you’re here to make them successful - not to control them.

How to Use It Naturally

You don’t need to say this in a formal speech. Instead, you can weave it into everyday conversations:

- At a team meeting: “Remember, you don’t work for me - we work together to get this done. My role is to make sure you understand what’s expected of you and to help prioritize what’s on everyone’s plate so we’re all focused on the most important things.”

- When welcoming a new hire: “You don’t work for me. We work together to make this team successful. That means I’ll help you understand what’s expected, make sure priorities are clear, and support you as you get up to speed.”

- During a 1:1: “I want you to know - you don’t work for me, we work together. Part of my job is to make sure expectations are clear, help you prioritize when things feel overwhelming, and be a partner in your success."

The key is sincerity. You don't need to overthink it. Just say it... and mean it.

Why It Works

Many employees are used to feeling like they work for someone - timing their vacation requests around a manager’s mood, walking on eggshells to avoid disapproval, or constantly seeking approval.

Most workplaces default to hierarchy - boss at the top, employees below. But when you use these eight words, you reset that dynamic. You’re acknowledging your role, while making it clear that your focus is on helping your team do their best work, grow in their roles and feel supported along the way.

It’s a small phrase with a powerful impact: you’re not just the boss - you’re in it together. So, remind them - try these words with your team today.

At Manager Method, we provide a scalable leadership development platform for organizations, blending on-demand learning and live manager cohorts. Learn more at managermethod.com