10 Things Your Boss Never Wants to
Hear
By Brooke Howell, Monster
Contributing Writer
One of the best ways to ensure your day-to-day work life is pleasant and your career remains on an upward trajectory is to get -- and stay -- on your boss' good side. It sounds like a simple thing to do, but you'd be surprised at the number of employees who can't seem to get it right.
The problem often is that they're unwittingly saying and doing things that communicate to the boss that they're incompetent, uncooperative or immature -- qualities no boss likes in an employee.
Don't want to be that employee? Then steer clear of saying these things that are sure to put any boss in a bad mood.
One of the best ways to ensure your day-to-day work life is pleasant and your career remains on an upward trajectory is to get -- and stay -- on your boss' good side. It sounds like a simple thing to do, but you'd be surprised at the number of employees who can't seem to get it right.
The problem often is that they're unwittingly saying and doing things that communicate to the boss that they're incompetent, uncooperative or immature -- qualities no boss likes in an employee.
Don't want to be that employee? Then steer clear of saying these things that are sure to put any boss in a bad mood.
- "It's not my fault." Even if it's not, saying so just makes you sound like a
6 year old. Adults take responsibility, and then take action to make
things right. Bosses want employees that are always part of the solution
-- especially after they've been part of the problem.
- "It's not my job." Your responsibilities aren't limited to those
specifically stated in your job description. If the boss is asking you
about something that needs to be done then it's your job. When you say
otherwise to his face you sound childish, disrespectful and uncooperative.
- "There must have been some miscommunication." "Because all businesses are so competitive these
days, bosses cannot afford to have employees costing the company a big
client or critical contract because of their poor communications,"
says Anita
Bruzzese author of "45 Things You Do That Drive Your Boss Crazy --
And How to Avoid Them." Different bosses have different
informational needs, so find out what your bosses are and then be sure to
meet them. "Being a good communicator is critical for the success of
a company, a boss -- and an employee's career."
- "I'm so hung-over." This isn't something to brag about and admitting to
heavy drinking on a work night shows the boss you aren't taking your job
as seriously as you could. It also makes her wonder if you're prone to
making bad decisions in other aspects of your life and work.
- "I can't stand Steve." This doesn't just apply to Steve, but to all of your
coworkers. "Bosses get really annoyed when they have to take time
from important tasks to break up spats between co-workers and they don't
want to get human resources involved when two workers can't solve their
differences in a professional way," says Bruzzese. "They want
workers to be respectful of one another and act like adults, period."
- "I'm too sick to work." This is fine if it's true, especially if you can't do
your job from home and are contagious, but if it's a lie and your boss
finds out you could be in big trouble. The chances of getting caught have
increased greatly with the proliferation of social media. It only takes
one stray Facebook update, Foursquare check-in or Twitter tweet to show
the boss -- or a big-mouthed co-worker -- what you're really up to.
- Too much or too little. "Employees may have never bothered to ask how or
when the boss wants to be communicated with, so they may sit on critical
information the boss needs or bug him or her endlessly with trivial
stuff," says Bruzzese.
- Whines and gripes.
"Since the Great Recession, employees have been asked to do more with
less and many have fallen into the habit of chronic whining about their
situation," says Bruzzese. With everyone in the same boat and
companies still at risk, that complaining really stands out to bosses who
are also plenty tired themselves. You want to spend your time coming up
with solutions to problems, she says. "Remember, there are still
about three people for every job opening -- the boss may not have any
trouble filling your shoes."
- "I need a raise." It's not your boss' responsibility to fulfil your need
to pay your credit card bills, go on vacation or eat out more. She should
pay you fairly for the work you're doing, though. If you think you deserve
a raise, approach her with concrete evidence that you've earned a salary
increase and make it a two-way conversation -- not a confrontational
demand.
- "I'll quit if ..." Never threaten to quit unless you're prepared to follow through if the boss calls your bluff. If he does and you don't, you'll definitely lose his respect -- and possibly your job.
