While you might have a great relationship with your manager you should never overstep the bounds, so with that in mind here’s a list of things you should never say within earshot of your boss!
There are many, many, many things you should avoid saying while your boss is around, these are just a few…
1. That’s not my problem / That’s not in my job description!
Believe me, your manager is well aware of what’s in your job description, having probably written it himself, so be careful how you phrase this one.
Your best bet is to have a can-do attitude. While you’re within your rights to complain about filling in for the secretary for months while the company looks for a replacement, if you turn down everything you’re asked to do that is not expressly written in your job description you might eventually find yourself without a job at all.
2. I don’t know
Not knowing the answer to something a manager asks you is fine, but it then becomes your responsibility to find out. Thus the answer to any question you don’t know the answer to becomes, “I’ll find out right away”, and not simply, “I don’t know.”
3. I need a raise / I don’t get paid enough for this.
Firstly, never try to broach the topic of a salary increase by saying that you NEED more money. Salaries are not awarded based on personal need but rather on performance, results and success. When asking for a raise you should always include examples of achievements you’ve made and successes you’ve brought the company.
4. Man, I really overdid it last night!
There are several reasons you shouldn’t share the sordid details of your night out with your boss, even if you are on friendly terms. The most important of these is perhaps the lack of professionalism this displays.
Your boss may also see this as your way of letting him know that you don’t intend to exert yourself too much that day, or worse, that you don’t value your job enough to NOT overdo it the night before (especially when you knew you’d be working…).
5. But that’s how we did it before.
Really? It’s 2013 guys, there’s no time to get stuck in your old ways and be inflexible; the economy, business world and our managers demand it.
Being flexible means being open to new ideas, considering how to make unfeasible ideas work and being capable of dealing with these changes as they occur. Yes, this may challenge your mindset, but that’s hardly a bad thing.
Staff Training is a soft skills training company that trains nationally in South Africa, for more information call (021) 839 3021 or email info@StaffTraining.co.za