As a recruiting agency, we know that communication is one of the keys to success at work. But if you say the wrong thing – especially to your boss – you can really damage your relationship and your career in the process. With that said, here’s a look at six examples of statements you should avoid at all costs:
1. “That’s not my job.”
Your boss asks you to take on a task outside your normal realm of responsibilities and rather than accepting, you respond with “that’s not my job.” But you’re shooting yourself in the foot by saying this. Not only are you showing your boss you’re not willing to go the extra mile, but he or she likely won’t forget this when they’re considering promotions and advancement opportunities. Instead, you will be labeled as someone who just wants to do enough to get by.
2. “That’s not my problem.”
This statement is in a similar vein as the one above and demonstrates a lack of commitment to your boss and the company. Just because you didn’t cause a problem and it’s technically not your job to fix it, if your boss or a co-worker is asking for assistance, this is an opportunity for you to shine. So take advantage of it.
3. “By the way, I’m taking next week off.”
Don’t ever take time off from work – especially an entire week – without clearing it with your boss well ahead of schedule. There could be an important project he or she had planned for you that week or some other reason you’re needed around the office.
4. “Oops…my bad.”
You might think making a mistake isn’t a big deal, especially when you admit to it. But it’s probably a bigger deal to your boss than it is to you. And by saying something along these lines, you’re being entirely too cavalier about the situation. Instead, when you make a mistake, tell your boss in more professional terms about it and what you did do or are going to do to fix the issue.
5. “Sigh.”
After your boss asks you to complete a laundry list of tasks, you let out a loud sigh. Not only does this demonstrate passive aggressiveness, but it also shows a lack of respect for your boss.
6. “If you don’t do this, I’ll quit.”
As a recruiting agency, we know that threatening to quit usually isn’t a good thing, regardless of the situation. If you really are unhappy in the position and feel there’s no way to make things better, then perhaps you should quit. But before hurtling threats at your boss, you may want to have an adult and private conversation about the issues you’re having and how you can work together to rectify them.
