Want to make a good impression on your new boss or improve your relationship with your current boss? Try adding some of these powerful phrases into your communication and you will see results in no time.
1. “How can I help?”
This is probably what any leader wants to hear most. (Saying, “That’s not my job,” will have the opposite effect.) This marks you as a team player and shows that you are willing to take on things beyond your core job responsibilities with energy.
2. “No problem”
When your manager asks you to do something, express a positive attitude towards it. Assure your boss that you can cope with the task without his participation and detailed control.
3. “I would like to know more.”
Showing your boss that you are interested in things outside of your area of expertise is a great way to demonstrate your desire to actively grow within the company and advance your career. This characterizes you as an ambitious person who understands your weaknesses and is ready to work on them.
4. “How can I improve my performance in the future?”
This is especially useful when evaluating your performance, but you can ask this question at any time. This shows that you are willing to listen and accept constructive criticism. And if you take it to heart and make the necessary changes, it will be even better.
5. “I will take charge of this issue”
Voluntary initiative and demonstration of leadership skills are what managers expect to see in valuable employees.
6. “I love my job”
You don’t often hear this phrase from employees! Even if you don't like everything about your job, you could probably think of a few things to tell your boss. Who doesn't love enthusiastic employees?
7. “Here’s how we can solve this problem.”
Solving problems is an extremely effective way to elevate yourself in the eyes of management. If you went to your boss and said, “Here's the problem. We can do A, B or C to solve it, and I think we should do C because...” - this is how you show initiative and creative thinking. Even if you and your boss have different views on how to solve this problem, he will be impressed that you thought about how to deal with it, and did not just come to report its existence.
8. "No"
It's actually a good idea to set clear boundaries with your boss and say no every now and then. At the same time, be as polite as possible. A good boss will respect you for your ability to set and maintain those clear boundaries.
9. “I saw it needed to be done, so I did it.”
I think this phrase sounds like music to each of us! Bosses adore people who resolve issues on their own and do not need constant monitoring and petty supervision. Plus, if it's not technically "your job" but needs to be done - anything from replacing a printer cartridge to clerical work - you'll immediately earn extra points.
10. “I have an idea...”
A good leader always welcomes new ideas. The main thing is to present them at the right time and in the right place. A staff meeting where there is a brainstorming session and everyone comes up with new ideas? Beautiful time. A meeting with a client where you present a proposal package? Maybe not the best time.
11. “I’d like to talk to you before I plan my vacation.”
Almost every boss hates being told that they have already bought tickets to islands in the Caribbean without first discussing the possibility of a vacation with him at that time. Therefore, before purchasing tickets, let your manager know when you want to leave and how you plan to redistribute your workload during your absence.
12. "Let me show you"
When describing a complex situation or problem, it is good to have some visual tools to simplify understanding. This is especially helpful when there is a large amount of source data.
13. “Everything will be done by...”
Your boss will definitely appreciate specificity regarding the deadlines for completing the work. The ability to set deadlines and stick to them is very useful for a manager trying to manage the expectations of his boss and other team members. Of course, remember to keep your promise, otherwise it's worthless!
14. “I understand correctly, you say that...”
This is an active listening technique where you repeat what you understood from what your boss said. This may seem a little silly at first, but it shows that you listened carefully to your boss and actually understood what was required of you. Bosses love it when what they say is taken as it should be.
15. “It was my mistake, but next time...”
Managers greatly value employees who not only admit their mistakes, but also understand what needs to be done to avoid a similar situation in the future.
16. “I could use your guidance.”
Managers generally welcome the opportunity to act as experts, and most will be happy to offer their opinions and give you sound advice on what you need to do to grow and advance in the company and in your career in general. Even if you just ask for help or advice, your boss will feel appreciated.
17. "I agree"
Everyone likes when someone else shares their point of view and recognizes the value of their ideas - and your boss is no exception. You shouldn’t go to extremes, so as not to turn into a nodding chorus. But when you really see eye to eye on a particular issue with your boss or support some of his ideas, tell him about it.
18. “I understand your point. I myself thought that this could be done as follows...”
Even if you disagree with your boss, show him due respect; Don't make him look like a fool and tell him he's wrong (especially in front of other people), but don't be afraid to express your thoughts and ideas. Anyone will accept different points of view as long as they are expressed calmly and politely.
19. “How are you doing?”
Don't forget: your boss is a person just like anyone else! And he also has good and bad days. If necessary, try to show genuine interest in how things are going for him, or ask him about things outside of work that interest him - children, hobbies, sports teams. Make a personal connection.
20. "Thank you"
A good boss always thanks his employees for a job well done, but who says thank you to the boss himself? If they helped you solve a problem, gave you good advice or valuable comments, say thank you! Your boss will be very happy.
Bernard Marr
Anything you say to your boss can affect your career, so choose your words wisely.
Even if you are lucky with your boss, some of your words can still influence the decision on promotion or dismissal in the future. Therefore, try to avoid the following phrases when communicating with your boss, or better yet, try to convey your thoughts differently.
5 things you should never say to your boss
Veronica Elkina"This is not my responsibility"
If you are asked to do something that is definitely not your responsibility, do not rush to snap back. It's better to give in the first time.
But if you still don’t intend to carry out an unnecessary assignment, refer to being busy. The words “I’m afraid if I do this, I won’t be able to deliver the project in time” sound much better than “that’s not what you hired me for.”
“But you said something completely different”
At work, we often encounter communication errors. If you and your boss didn’t understand each other, and now he scolds you for not following his instructions, don’t say that he was the one who made the mistake in the first place. You can only accuse your boss of being wrong if you have documented proof of his old words. Otherwise, it is better to remain silent.
If you do have such evidence (for example, written instructions from the manager), try to express your thoughts more politely. Show the letter and say something like: “I was confident that I followed your instructions exactly. Please show me where I went wrong so we can make things right." This way, you will save your bosses from the awkward realization of their own mistake and the negative consequences that it can cause.
"It's not my fault"
We all make mistakes at work. So if your boss points out a mistake, it’s better to admit it than to try to remove the blame. Even if you are not to blame, the situation can be handled correctly.
For example, your manager asks for an assessment of a project, you take your colleague’s data, which contains an error, and produce erroneous information based on it. Of course, you can easily blame your colleague for everything. But it’s better to say: “I should have checked the numbers better before relying on Oleg’s data. I’ll calculate everything again and give a more accurate estimate.” Believe me, the manager will appreciate such an adult approach to business.
"This is impossible"
Your boss may ask you to complete a report in two hours that would normally take about five hours. In such a situation, you want to throw up your hands and declare that they are asking you to do the impossible. But it’s better to try to complete the task at least partially.
Say: “In this time, I will only have time to complete the first half of the report, and I will finish the rest first thing in the morning.” So you don't say yes or no, and maybe that will be enough to appease your boss.
"It's not fair"
Life in general is unfair, and this also applies to office life. It may happen that you will once again be forced to stay late after work, but if you do not want to lose your job, it is better not to express your dissatisfaction out loud. Perhaps there are serious reasons for this, or maybe your boss is preparing some bonuses for you for such situations (most likely monetary). So, instead of complaining, you better pull yourself together.
Of course, if you see that your boss really treats you unfairly - for example, he always only detains you after work, and releases the rest of the employees on time - then you have every reason to be indignant. However, your dissatisfaction must be expressed in a diplomatic manner. For example, say: “With all due respect, I feel like I’ve been late at work a lot lately. Maybe we should involve our colleagues to solve problems faster and lighten the load?”
Honesty is the best strategy for behavior at work, but there are exceptions to every rule.
"You have to be careful about what you say to your boss, because even the smallest mistake can ruin your career," says Ryan Kahn, career coach, founder of The Hired Group and author of You're Hired! The Graduate Guide.
"There are obvious things you shouldn't say, but some of the subtleties of a relationship can only be revealed after careful analysis," agrees Lynne Taylor, a national labor expert and author of Taming the Terrible Office Tyrant: How to Deal with an Infantile Manager and Succeed at Work ".
"Some comments and questions are negative and can get in the way of your relationship with your boss," she says. “If they keep repeating things, your career will suffer seriously.”
Before you blurt out something you might regret, always pause to think about what exactly you want to achieve with your phrase and what kind of reaction it might cause.
"If you think you're going to regret it, you probably will," Taylor says. - “Be silent until you can come up with a phrase that would facilitate professional dialogue.”
Besides the obvious curse words and insults, phrases that should not be used in a conversation with a manager include:
"You are not right"
"Open criticism and directly calling out a manager's mistakes are a recipe for being ignored in meetings," writes Rosalind Oropesa Randall, an etiquette expert and author of Don't Burp in the Boardroom.
If you think your manager has made a mistake, there are other ways to let him know.
Say, “I may be wrong, but I thought that...” This will force him to double-check the information without having to defend himself against attacks. "Whatever phrase you choose, make it sound like you genuinely want to help," Randall advises.
"I can't"
The ability to solve problems is a valuable quality. "Admitting to your own powerlessness shows a lack of self-confidence and an unwillingness to try new things. Either way, it will leave a negative impression on the manager," Taylor says.
"It's not my job"
Job responsibilities are not set in stone. "Cross-functional teams exist in many organizations. Your job is to adapt and make life as easy as possible for the manager," Taylor explains. - “The more knowledge you gain, the more you will be valued.”
“If you're not willing to do something that's not your responsibility, it means you're not willing to put yourself out there for the greater good,” Kahn adds.
"I don't know"
You may not have all the answers, but you can offer a guess or promise to look into it instead of just shrugging your shoulders. “Forcing your manager to do your work for you is a dangerous path,” says Kahn.
"No"
Work ethic and good manners mean that you combine your efforts with the efforts of other people. "Refusing a manager is difficult and sometimes necessary, but if you can't justify the refusal, it's simply inappropriate," Taylor says.
"For example, if a manager asks if you have time to help Smith, don't give a monosyllabic answer. Tell them what you're going to do and ask if they should take on Smith's project instead," advises Taylor.
"I will try"
Many people find this answer acceptable because trying implies that the speaker is making an effort. However, it raises doubts. “The manager gives you a task and expects you to do it,” Taylor says. -
“Imagine asking if your salary will be given by a certain date, and the answer is that the manager will try very hard.”
"I heard otherwise"
Avoid gossip and speculation, they can serve you badly. If you are not sure about something, you should not talk about it. Otherwise, you risk looking unprofessional.
"And what I get for this?"
In some cases, we have to help colleagues, including those who work in other departments. “Leaders don't tolerate people who can't work as part of a team,” says Taylor.
"Sorry, but..."
"Phrasing this doesn't sound like an apology. A negative conjunction completely neutralizes the sincerity of the expression," Taylor says. If you make a mistake in something, say: “Sorry, next time I will be more careful.”
"I just broke up with my girlfriend... I'm not in the best mood today."
"We all have personal problems from time to time. Those are the times when our professionalism is tested," says Randall.
“Of course, your emotional trauma means a lot, but why should the manager suffer from this? Why should he wait until you get over this breakup?” - she asks. - “If the problem is really serious, take a day off and call your mom so she can sympathize with you.”
"I did everything I could"
This is an excuse. If you made a mistake and that's all you could do, your abilities leave much to be desired. Better to say that next time you will do everything right.
"I've tried this before"
Managers don't like lazy people. “Make sure you understand everything correctly before turning down an option,” Taylor suggests. - “Maybe the leader had something else in mind.”
If the option is unacceptable, say that you appreciate the advice and tell us what and how you did and with what result. Perhaps they will offer you something more effective.
"I'm leaving"
"Don't try to intimidate the employer," Kahn advises. - “This is unprofessional, and you may be fired earlier than you expected.”
"I just assumed that..."
This phrase confuses many managers. They want to hear that you admitted your mistake and learned from it, but all they get is a lame excuse. "Everyone makes mistakes, but failure to admit it can ruin your career," Taylor says.
“I did it differently at my last job.”
Nobody likes a know-it-all. If you are sure that your method is better, promote it carefully. "Leave the emotional and intense statements. Try to formulate your sentence in the form of a question," advises Taylor.
“It’s not my fault, it’s Vasya’s fault, Petya’s”
Shifting blame is a dangerous path. If you are not at fault, explain why. "Don't blame others if you're the only one responsible," Taylor advises.
“Taking responsibility is very important,” adds Kahn. - “If you always point the finger at others, the manager will wonder who exactly should be blamed.”
"If you don't tell me what to do, I..."
This phrase sounds threatening. The leader himself knows when and what to say.
"Your predecessor did it differently/better"
"The manager likes to think that his methods seem preferable to you because he is now in the position," Taylor explains. - “Unless the method is obviously wrong, do not announce that you prefer to act the old way just because it is convenient for you.”
"I can't work with him/her"
We're taught in elementary school to get along with others, and if you still don't, people assume you can't sacrifice your ego for the greater good."
"He's a jerk"
"Your manager expects you to follow good manners, and that slandering others will not help you achieve what you want. Quite the opposite," says Taylor.
"And that she is forever..."
Nobody likes whining. "If you have a complaint, voice it without mentioning other people," she suggests.
"I'm bored"
"Never share comments like these with people who shouldn't hear them," Taylor says. “You are paid to be productive, and it is up to you to find interest in your work.”
"Can I talk to your supervisor about this?" or "I want to talk to HR about this"
"You won't get anywhere by being insubordinate. Only question your manager's authority if you're going to quit anyway and have no other choice," Taylor recommends. -
"If you go to HR, don't talk about it in advance."
"I have no solution"
"Don't tell your manager about problems without offering a specific solution," Kahn advises. “Leaders talk about solutions, but their followers talk about problems.”
"I have to tell you about what happened yesterday!"
"Sometimes people try to befriend their boss, but it's not a smart move," Randall says.
“What if one of your colleagues overhears your conversation? It is quite possible that he will file a complaint against the manager for inappropriate behavior,” she explains.
“Why does he have it and I don’t?”
Focus on your career and don't worry about who gets paid what or what position they hold - unless you witness blatant favoritism, of course. “But even in the second case, it’s worth gathering the facts in advance and thinking through arguments for dialogue,” says Taylor.
"I'm busy, can this wait?"
If the manager's priorities have changed, you must take this into account, because your goals directly depend on his goals. “Priorities rarely stand still, and in most cases it will be better to clarify the changes,” recommends Taylor.
"This is impossible"
The boss probably doesn't want to know that you have a negative outlook on things or are unsure of yourself. If you have doubts, try discussing it.
“The best way to decide whether to share your thoughts with an executive and ask insightful questions is to put yourself in their shoes,” suggests Taylor. “Do these questions convey a positive attitude, self-confidence, and a willingness to solve problems? Words matter greatly, so if you want to succeed in your professional life, choose them wisely.”
“I won’t be there tomorrow” or “Tomorrow I’ll leave early”
Do you want to go on vacation or leave the office early? Don't confront your manager with a fact. Ask him politely or gently lead him to this idea. It will look much more professional.
You are not a child, so you should not construct a phrase like this: “Please, can I take the weekend from Monday to Wednesday?” Instead, say, "I was planning on taking Monday through Wednesday off and I want to make sure it's okay with you."
“Can I leave early? There’s nothing to do here today anyway.”
You can, of course, leave early. But you shouldn’t argue that you have “nothing to do.”
"Everyone has plans for upcoming projects, and managers want employees to take initiative," Taylor says.
businessinsider.com, translation: Olga Airapetova
- Career and Self-development
Keywords:
1 -1
09.23.2018 at 18:10 · oksioksi · 750
10 phrases you shouldn't say to your employees
Every responsible manager periodically looks for ways to increase the productivity of his employees. However, it happens that a boss unwittingly, either due to his character or due to his illiteracy, becomes a strong demotivating factor in relation to his subordinates. And we are not talking here about any penalties for poor quality work provided for by labor legislation. It happens that with just careless words, a manager can significantly reduce an employee’s interest in his professional activities, which ultimately will have an extremely negative impact on the final result of his work. Let's look at 10 phrases that every boss should eliminate from their vocabulary.
10. “I don’t care about your apologies.”
Firstly, if for some reason you have been placed in a leadership position, then words such as “I don’t care,” “I don’t care,” “It doesn’t concern me” should not be uttered at all in relation to your employees. Such turns of phrase show your subordinates that you are voluntarily abdicating some of the responsibility assigned to you, and this, in turn, does not benefit your authority.
Secondly, if some unforeseen difficulties arise during the work process, this does not mean that the blame for everything should be placed on subordinates. In any situation, it is necessary to give a person the opportunity to explain the reason for his actions, even if they are wrong. Otherwise, the next time your employee makes a mistake, he will feel much less guilty and will try not to correct the situation, but to blame it on someone else.
9. “Figure it out yourself (yourself)”
With this phrase addressed to a subordinate, you signify your incompetence and disinterest in achieving a good result. A forward-thinking boss encourages his employees not only to talk about difficulties that arise, but also to look for ways to solve the problem.
8. “You’re lucky they hired you at all.”
If you recruited employees through roulette or casting lots, then such a statement may be appropriate. However, in most cases, personnel selection is based on the candidate’s professional qualities and work experience. Therefore, by admitting that you hired an incompetent person for a responsible position, you are simultaneously admitting that you are a mediocre and irresponsible organizer.
7. “Your predecessor did a better job.”
If that same predecessor left his position not due to serious illness, death or maternity leave, then a fair question arises: “Why is he still not here?” Maybe he was tired of the constant reproaches of his tyrant boss and decided to find a place where his professional abilities would be appreciated?
In addition, by creating an unattainable image of his predecessor in the imagination of your subordinate, you completely deprive him of the desire for professional growth, and this is a strong demotivation for the effective performance of his duties.
6. “You are unable to carry out even basic tasks.”
Such a phrase will not teach your subordinate anything. You will only ensure that the person harbors a grudge against you and will look for an opportunity to repay you in kind. There is no need to make enemies for yourself in a team called upon to work with you to achieve a common goal. And constant insults will ultimately lead to slackness and sabotage of the work process. In addition, every good boss should remember that the failures of subordinates are, to one degree or another, associated with certain mistakes of management.
5. “We’ve always done it this way.”
Your task is not to accustom a new employee to a well-established work algorithm, but to stimulate an improvement in the quality of his work. If you, without giving any adequate arguments other than “we have always done it this way,” forbid your subordinate to look for other (maybe more effective) ways to solve the assigned problems, then in this way you will demonstrate to him the limitations of your professional potential. Your credibility will suffer greatly from this.
4. “Be grateful that I didn’t fire you.”
You can demand thanks and a “bow to the ground” if you bring your subordinate’s salary home twice a month, without demanding in return that he fulfill his official duties. If, however, he works in accordance with the employment contract, then he has nothing to thank you for. Remember, you are not a master, and he is not a serf. You are individuals bound to each other by mutual obligations, so you do not have a single reason to demonstrate your superiority.
3. “I don’t care what you think about this.”
A phrase like this is the best way to completely destroy any initiative that arises from employees. A boss who preaches such a principle of work will ensure that his subordinates, who are likely endowed with abilities and motivated to work effectively, will turn into an inert mass pretending to be active.
2. “I knew you couldn’t handle it.”
If he knew, then why did he order it? You are probably a bad boss, trying to abdicate responsibility and lay the blame on your employees.
This formulation is probably one of the most demotivating to effective work. Remember the proverb where, after the hundredth insult, the person still grunted? Then keep in mind that the efficiency of a notorious employee who does not believe in his professional capabilities tends to zero. And the reason for low collective productivity will be your lack of effective leadership skills.
1. “I watch you all the time.”
Such statements will not lead to an increase in work activity in the subordinate, but rather will cause him to develop neurosis or a depressive state. While one of the most important missions of management is to create a healthy working atmosphere in the team. Understand that with such tactics you will not achieve anything from your subordinate except flattery and sycophancy. Your ego may be satisfied, but this will have an extremely negative impact on the productivity of your employees.
Communication with any person requires some delicacy, feelings of tact, empathy. But, if in everyday life we only risk accidentally hurting someone with our awkward verbal elbow, then in a work environment we can bring all sorts of troubles upon ourselves. A person who is disliked by his boss should probably think about changing the company, because it will be difficult for him to achieve anything in this one, unless he manages to correct the situation.
But it’s better not to take it to extremes and not spoil it relationship with the boss. Especially if we consider that this is sometimes done unintentionally, in simple and ordinary phrases, which, as it seems to us, do not contain any special meaning, especially offensive ones. But the boss stubbornly wants to see in these phrases an attack on his own authority. So what are these phrases?
1. "I don't get paid for this". Let's start with the obvious. Saying this phrase out loud has only one purpose - to express your own dissatisfaction and resentment. Those who think that by doing so they protect their working time and increase their own authority in the eyes of their colleagues are deeply mistaken. If you think that your potential is not valued at the company and that too much work is being dumped on you, then you just need to quit and look for another job.
Why say this phrase, waiting for exactly this proposal, but from the mouth of the boss? He will recommend that you get out of it and go find a company that will pay you for drinking coffee. You can ask for a raise, presenting your own workload as an argument. You can ask to unload your workload because you don’t have time. If you are sure that all this is really true, go to the boss’s office at the appropriate time and talk about this topic. Saying the phrase “I’m not getting paid for this” is a common provocation of conflict that does not carry even the slightest bit of constructiveness.
2. "Oh, we seriously had too much yesterday". This phrase is usually pronounced with a stupid grin, and the same understanding smile is expected in response. But the boss, instead, frowns. And he can be understood: even if he himself “feasted” with friends in a drinking establishment yesterday, even if he accurately guessed the reason for your swollen face and the characteristic smell emanating from you on Monday morning - he still has the right to be dissatisfied with such behavior of a subordinate. And he wants to see a guilty face and hear timid apologies, and certainly not the employee’s exaggeration of his own alcoholism as an excuse for his own carelessness and slackness. Rest assured, with each such attempt to evoke sympathy for your own hangover in your boss’s eyes, you lose authority in his eyes. A person who does not know how to limit himself will not be trusted with serious matters. In general, try not to go on a spree on Sundays - Saturday is already enough to harm the body, why make it worse?
3. "And who needs this?" Oh, how smart you are! Why don't you also be honest? Tell your boss straight to his face: “You are an obnoxious idiot, handing out completely worthless tasks to me, a valuable employee, whose time is worth its weight in gold. You are only interfering with the work process; without your stupid instructions, I would have turned around completely.” Anyway, this is exactly what the boss hears every time you question his orders with this “harmless” phrase.
4. "This is impossible". “And you’re a complete idiot if you don’t understand that,” that’s what this clichéd phrase, so often used by employees, means. Yes, it often happens that management issues a task that cannot be completed for objective reasons. All you have to do is decide what is more important to you: proudly turning up your nose because “you were right” or still maintaining relations with your boss at an acceptable level? If the first, then do not forget to document the story so that you have something to tell later to other unemployed people at the labor exchange. If it’s the latter, then agree with the task as it is. After a short period of time, show up at your boss’s office and report that you have discovered an insurmountable obstacle. Of course, no one could have foreseen this, there is no one to blame. But you have an idea how to fix the situation. Do you understand how thin the line is between promotion and dismissal? Sometimes it lies not in your professional skills at all, but in your communication skills.
5. "Oooh...". Sighs and sour faces are the last thing anyone wants to hear or see in response to their own orders. And again: it doesn’t matter at all who is to blame in the situation and who is right. If we look at our relationship with our superiors from above, from the completely objective position of an outside observer, then very often we can find several sins behind us: the desire to cut short work here and there, unwillingness to work, hack work, spending working hours playing solitaire and social networks , delays, missed deadlines - and much more. And we will discover that our boss is not as wrong as it seems to us from his position as “an unfortunate exploited representative of the office proletariat.”
Let's repeat, this is not true important- who is right and who is wrong. It is much more important who is destined for what fate. Ooohing and ahhing, constantly thinking about how not to do anything that is not provided for in their contract, employees who are constantly rude to the boss will remain in their jobs (or others like them) for many years to come. So they will walk and whine, grumble and complain. And those who are looking for the right approach to their bosses (not to be confused with the nasty toadying and sucking up - this, firstly, is disgusting, and secondly, almost never works), very soon they themselves will become bosses, and other people will have to look for an approach - to them . The choice, as always, is yours.