“Think before you speak” is always a good policy -- and at work it's even more
important. Saying the wrong thing to your boss can do serious damage to your
career -- and some of the things bosses don't like to hear may surprise you. We
checked in with some managers and came up with this list of nine phrases they
strongly dislike -- and we'll tell you what you should say instead:
1. "I need a raise."
Never enter salary
negotiations talking about what you need -- because of rising
costs or a new expense, for instance. Your employer doesn't care about your
financial problems. However, management probably does want to reward success
and keep high-performing employees satisfied. A raise request should always be
supported by evidence of what you've achieved for the company -- along with
information about what people with your responsibilities typically earn.
2. “That just isn’t possible.”
Always speak to your boss in terms
of what can be done. For instance, rather than saying “We can’t get this done
by Friday,” say “We could definitely get this done by Monday, or if we brought
in some freelance help, we could meet the Friday deadline.” When you talk to
your boss, think in terms of solving problems for her, not in terms of putting
problems on her plate.
3. “I can’t stand working with”
Complaining about a coworker's
personality usually reflects more poorly on you than on the coworker. Don’t
make these kinds of conflicts your
boss’s problem. Of course, management is interested in problems that jeopardize
the company's ability to function. If you have to speak to HR about a problem
such as a colleague's threatening, illegal or unethical behavior, keep your
tone professional and the focus on work -- not personal issues.
4. “I partied too hard last night -- I'm so hung over!”
Buck up and get through the day with
some ibuprofen, extra undereye concealer and coffee. But don’t share the sordid
details of your night on the town with your boss. Even if you have a friendly
relationship, he’s just as likely to react with (unspoken) disdain as sympathy.
Maintaining a solid veneer of professionalism will pay off when it's time to
discuss promotions.
5. “But I emailed you about that
last week.”
Alerting your boss to a problem via
email doesn't absolve you of all responsibility for it. Bosses hate the
"out of my outbox, out of my mind" attitude. Keep tabs on all
critical issues you know about -- and keep checking in until you hear a firm
"You don't need to worry about that anymore."
6. “It’s not my fault.”
Are you a whiny 8-year-old or a
take-charge professional? Assume
responsibility and take steps to fix a problem that you did, in
fact, create. And if you are being wrongly blamed for a problem, saying “Let’s
get to the bottom of this” or “What can we do to make it right?” is much more
effective than saying “It’s not my fault.”
7. "I don't know.”
If your boss asks you a question you
can’t answer, the correct response is not "I don't know." It's
"I'll find out right away."
8. “But we've always done it this
way."
You may find yourself with a new boss who
wants to try new things -- and the best way to present yourself as a workplace
relic is to meet change with a "we do it this way because this is the way
we do it" attitude. When a brainstorming session takes place, be part of
it and stay open to new ideas. If you have concerns about a new idea's
feasibility, say "I think for this to work, we will have to…" Don't
kill new ideas with negativity.
9. “Let me set you up with...”
Avoid the urge to play matchmaker
for your single boss. The potential risk far outweighs any potential benefit.
In modern workplaces, hierarchical structures are often less rigid, and bosses
will often end up in semisocial situations with their direct reports. Smart
workers will draw the line at "oversharing" -- definitely something
to keep in mind if you're connecting to your company's managers on social
networks like Facebook.
0 comments:
Post a Comment