Replace the blunt line
Same point. Cleaner register. Use these when the room requires it.
“I don't think that's going to work.”
“I'm not convinced that's a viable approach.”
Names the test: viability, not mood.
“That's a terrible idea.”
“I'm not persuaded that's the wisest course of action.”
Keeps the objection. Drops the insult.
“You're making assumptions.”
“I think you're being somewhat presumptuous.”
Points at the overreach, not the person.
“That's not really true.”
“It would be disingenuous to put it that way.”
Calls the framing, not just the fact.
“The numbers look dodgy.”
“The occupancy assumption looks dubious given last year's voids.”
Doubt with a reason attached.
“That argument is rubbish.”
“The comparison is spurious. It is not like-for-like.”
Invalid, not merely disliked.
“We'll give them that.”
“We can concede the date if they drop the price adjustment.”
A concession is a trade.
“Don't tell anyone yet.”
“Keep the approach discreet until the board has seen the numbers.”
Scope the secrecy.
“I'll be honest with you.”
“I'll be candid: the debt service is too tight at this rent.”
Then say the thing.
“This contract is confusing.”
“The break clause is ambiguous on who triggers it.”
Name the clause and the fork.
“That's the safe thing to do.”
“The prudent reserve is twelve months of cover, not three.”
Prudent is a standard, not a feeling.
“We can't defend that price.”
“Holding the asking price after two void years is untenable.”
The position cannot be maintained.
“People are going to argue about this.”
“The earn-out formula is the contentious clause. Everything else is agreed.”
Isolate the dispute.
“Let's just be practical.”
“The pragmatic move is to refinance now rather than wait for a perfect rate.”
Name the workable option.
“That's made up.”
“The synergy case rests on a spurious comparison with a different market.”
False, not merely disliked.
“I don't believe you.”
“It would be disingenuous to suggest the acquisition was entirely risk-free.”
The belief is the framing, not the person.