How ‘I Don’t Care’ Hurts Workplace Conversations: Alternatives for Better Collaboration

It was another typical day in the office when I found myself in a discussion with a colleague about pricing. We were trying to work through the details of a solution when, in the middle of the conversation, my colleague threw in a line that hit me like a slap across the face.

“I don’t care about the details.”

I paused. Did they really just say that? I could feel irritation bubbling up, but I didn’t respond immediately. Instead, a flood of thoughts rushed through my mind, each more tempting than the last.

On one hand, I wanted to walk away without a word, leaving them to figure things out. “If you don’t care, why should I bother?” My mind was halfway to the door already.

On the other hand, I wanted to challenge them right there in the meeting. “We’re in a professional setting. If you don’t care, then why are we even talking about it?” But would that escalate things? Probably.

Then there was the passive-aggressive option: walking away with a sarcastic quip. “Good luck to you.” I imagined myself muttering it under my breath as I exited dramatically.

And of course, when my patience was running on fumes, the most primal reaction flared up: “Go to hell!” A moment of cathartic…