10 Worst Things You Should Never Say To Your Boss 1. I really need to talk to you, it’s important- In today’s fast-paced workplace; managers don’t have time to personally attend to every little need. Remember that one person’s importance is another person’s triviality. Therefore, if you have to talk to your boss about something important, explain what it’s regarding first. 2. I don’t need anyone to teach me- Be careful here. It’s one thing to already know how to perform a job; it’s another (irritating) thing to think you already know all there is to learn. Never show your boss you know more that him/her and that you do not value what they say or what others know. 3. I don’t understand- The most valuable attribute of an employee is to become an astute problem solver. However, while a little on-the-job training is standard, someone who continually needs instructions on how to perform a certain task can be, in a manager’s eyes, more effort than he or she is worth. Once an employee is offered with some direction on how an issue might be addressed, it is up to you to become an expert on the issue and investigate the best solution. This requires quite a bit of resourcefulness and patience from an employee, but any employee who can solve problems on their own is a truly valuable asset and will always impress the boss. 4. Could you repeat that? A forgivable offense if it’s a one-time occurrence, but continually asking your manager to repeat him or herself indicates you don’t care about or respect what he or she has to say. A positive attitude to learn will always impress your manager. Show you are eager to be successful, professional and consistent. Have ideas and a desire to contribute to the success of the business. 5. That’s not in my job description- Unless the task your manager is asking you to perform has nothing to do with the actual workplace, you should keep this thought to yourself. In today’s workplace, there’s nothing that cannot get done. Most companies’ policy emphasizes teamwork and flexibility. The best team members are always striving for improvement and take personal pride in their work. They go the extra mile, volunteering to help their teammates, pick up extra responsibilities. 6. I have a family/ Commitment. I’m going home- True, the work day for most officially ends at 5.00pm or 5.30pm depending on the work place, but a little overtime work every once in a while is standard in many workplaces. Make sure you understand your company’s policy on overtime before you speak up 7. It’s not my fault- One thing that’s sure to tick off your boss is trying to cover up a mistake by blaming someone else. Often your boss will be the last person to know what is really happening around the office, but saying it isn’t your fault might in fact make them think you’re being defensive and is not only unreliable, but misleading as well. Understanding that there is a problem that needs to be fixed is what is more important. 8. It can’t be done- Saying this suggests a resistance to find out the answer. Maybe it can’t, some things are impossible but most employers are also people and they know that they can only ask for your best effort. None of us have all the answers therefore, be proactive and say “let me find out,” “let me look into it,” or “I’ll have that answer to you as soon as possible. You can also, suggest ways the job can be done on time even if it means asking for assistance from colleagues. 9. I can only do one thing at a time- Indeed, humans aren’t very good at multitasking, but bosses tend to think employees who complain of being overworked aren’t very effective. Try to find ways to organize your time so that important tasks are completed before less important tasks. 10. Can you tell so-and-so to shut off that annoying music?” It’s not up to the boss to solve your personal problems. If you can’t resolve a problem with a co-worker on your own, you can ask your boss for advice, but don’t expect him or her to respond to whining and complaining.
Posted on: Mon, 17 Jun 2013 06:26:56 +0000
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