What does it take to get ahead in business today? While the experts may offer such suggestions as having cutting-edge skills and being a good team player, there are other even more essential attributes.

Clearly separating the average employee from the superior worker are basic — but often lacking — qualities.

The techniques are actually quite simple, but they have one fundamental, common characteristic that makes them so valuable: each one produces positive action.

The quickest way to achieve success is to eliminate the negatives. If you want to be considered a “star” performer, here is what you should strive to avoid.

Never say:

•   “They didn’t get back to me” or, “They’re getting back to me” — Both are equally disastrous excuses. Never wait for anyone to return your telephone call or e-mail. Be reasonable, but take the initiative.

•   “I thought Joe was taking care of that” — It’s just another excuse that’s a roadblock to getting the job done. Doing what you are told isn’t enough; think about what should be happening. Ask questions to keep things moving.

•   “No one ever told me” — Let a supervisor hear you talk this way very often and you will have made a very clear statement about the way you work. You operate in a tunnel, oblivious to everything that is going on around you.

•   “I just assumed” — Making assumptions is the best way to become instantly obsolete. This is the stuff of which downsizing is made.

•   “I left a message” — So what? Leaving the message doesn’t mean you have accomplished anything or that the responsibility is now passed to the person you tried to contact.

•   “I didn’t know you wanted me to do that” — Companies eschew employees who only do what they’re told and seek entrepreneurial-minded workers who keep things moving and explore new paths.

•   “I didn’t have time” And, don’t bother with “I was too busy” either — If you find yourself saying things like this, you are writing your employment obituary. Your job tombstone will read: “Couldn’t handle the job.”

•   “I didn’t think to ask about that” — Anticipating what needs to be done is the job. An inability to see down the road may indicate that you lack the ability to understand and grasp relationships.

•   “But it isn’t due until….” — Last minute performance is out. Managers know that what’s done at the last minute doesn’t leave time for proper evaluation, revision and refinement. Going with second-best doesn’t get the business.

•   “But they said it would be done on time” — There’s only one problem — it wasn’t. Why? You failed to check to determine progress and possible problems.

•   “As I understand it….” — Stop playing games. You’re hedging, and that’s trouble. Using words like this indicates that you’re a bystander, not an active participant. Spectators don’t play the game — and they don’t get the rewards.

•   “I’ll do it as soon as I get it from….” — Sorry, not good enough for today’s competitive workplace. If you’re just a cog in the process, you’re out of a job. Even though it may not be your fault that it’s late, you’re smart if you make it your responsibility to get it in your hands on time.

•   “I’m going to get on that right away” — Sure you are! Now that someone had to remind you about it. You are communicating the message that you are disorganized and deal only with assignments when they are called to your attention. Either your days are numbered or you will never be promoted.

•   “I haven’t been able to contact her” — The barriers are higher than ever. So, get creative: send flowers, a box lunch, or hire a limo. Do whatever it takes to get attention. Waiting and making excuses are sure signs that you can’t cut the mustard.

•   “I had computer trouble” or “My e-mail is down” — Even though it may be true, it sends the message that you’re a person who makes excuses instead of taking responsibility.

•   “Nobody told me how to do that” — As they say in Texas, “That old dog don’t hunt.” Your responsibility is to stay relevant in your job — and to expand it. In fact, your job depends on it.

•   “That’s not my job” — If your boss hears that, cancel the trip to the Barbados, start updating your resume and your LinkedIn profile. Your future is in doubt.

•   “I know I sent it to you” — Do it and you’ve earned the wrong reputation. Be smart and just send it again.

•   “I was working from home that day and missed that” — Now you know why Yahoo and others are stopping working from home: too much home and not enough work.

•   “What was that?” (while removing your earbuds) — Like it or not awareness of what’s going on around us is integral to being part of a team. Earbuds on the job say “Leave me alone; don’t bother me.” Not a good way to get ahead.

•   “Let’s have a meeting — Get smart. A current study indicates that “goal-oriented high achievers” feel meetings get in the way of actually doing work, while “more social, not as self-structured” people view meetings as a time to catch up and talk with colleagues.

•   “It’s in the works” — Let’s put it this way — It’s payday and the company hasn’t made a deposit to your bank account. When you question why, your boss says “It’s in the works.” Now you know why never to say it.

•   “Traffic was awful” or “My train was late” — If you say something like this, you’re announcing to the world that it’s a good idea to leave home a little earlier so you’ll be there on time.

•   “My dog ate my smartphone” — Enough said!

The message in business today is very clear: performance is the only measure for success. Whatever the roadblocks, it’s your job to get past them. If not, you’ll be viewed as one of them.