Impressions
Bad day in office, we all have bad days at work. Sometimes it reflects directly on the things we say or we do to our coworkers and superiors. What you say tells a lot about you as a professional and creates impressions that could hunt you for years. Have you ever thought what you say could cost you a job? Interesting, read on!
Getting a pink slip because your supervisor/superior did not like something, which you said or mentioned is something that will probably not happen to you on the spot. However, one careless phrase or sentence may adversely affect your entire career, especially if it creates a long lasting impression of you. Subconsciously, your boss may pass you for a promotion or let you go during layoffs simply because of the impression they got years ago due to something you said in the past. Believe me people have good memory when it comes to impressions. Chances are, your boss would not even remember exactly what you said but they are sure to remember what they have thought of it and would definitely form an impression of you because of what you said.
Some of the things that can put your career at risk could be::
1. “Why do I need to do this? This is stupid!”
Well, at times this does sound perfect, but don’t ever say this to your boss! Why, simply because this questions the authority of your boss/superior and their judgment about something that they believe has to be done. It belittles your boss and the entire enterprise and your boss might feel offended if this is his/her project/area of work. If your boss is asking you to do it, it might be important for him and he expects something important to come out of the work. By using these words/sentences you are openly challenge their competency and authority as a boss. You don’t want to take a chance, would you?
2. “That’s not in my job description”
The weaker players are the first ones to get pink slip or be a part of the work force reduction plan. In this economy, companies keep employees who can wear many hats, even if it is not technically in their job description, and who don’t complain about it. If your boss thinks you are unwilling or incapable to do what you’ve been asked, you will be considered a weak player.
3. “It is not my fault”
Most of the time nobody really cares whose fault it is. All that matters is the problem should be fixed. When you say it is not your fault, you sound as if you don’t want to fix the problem even though you intend to solve it and it will be worse if you are trying to cover up your mistake by pointing fingers at someone else. This behavior shows that you are not only unreliable but you can’t be trusted. It’s better to accept the mistake and fix the problem rather than covering it up.
4. “This is not my problem”
In reality, it might not be your problem. But if your boss has brought it up, there is a problem and he has bought it to you so ideally speaking it is your problem. Moreover, a problem at work is everyone’s problem, be it you or your boss or your colleagues. Saying this might convey a wrong message and moreover this shows that you don’t care and that you are not a very good team player. Ultimately, getting things done is the manager’s responsibility and saying it is not your problem automatically turns it into your boss’ problem.
5. “I don’t know how to do it”
It is absolutely ok if you don’t know something but all that matters is how you say it. If you say “I just don’t know”, it shows a weakness and it also may be interpreted as an excuse that you just don’t want to do it. I think it makes sense to say that you are prepared to do the task but I have not done this kind of work before and might need some assistance or guidance. You can ask for references for people who have done similar work in the past.
6. “I am overqualified for this”
Yeah, this sounds familiar. Many a times we say this “I am overqualified for this work”. May be you are, may be you are not. However, you are at work and you should just roll up your sleeves and get the work done instead of playing a big shot. Either you do it yourself, or find a person who can do it and delegate it to him. But the point is to get the work done. That is what is expected from you and anything less might convey a wrong message, maybe opposite of what you are trying to convey.
7. “It is impossible to do”
How many times you hear people say, nothing is impossible. If you say this you sound like “I don’t want to do it” or “I don’t know how to do it”. You might be right, but what if someone else is able to do that job without much difficulty, imagine what would be your situation? You might look like an incompetent person. It could be very devastating statements to be used, unless it is a very technical job and you know what you are talking about.
8. “I don’t get paid enough to do this job”
Recession is one word that gives goose bumps to everyone and anyone in the industry. In such situations, you might be the first ones to lose your job. There might be situations when you actually are below the pay band, but as I mentioned earlier all that matters is how you approach the situation.
9. “I will try”
It is good to give it a try, but your boss doesn’t want you to try it; they want you to do it. Sometimes it can be treated as a negative sentence. Though you might want to say you have not done it before but will still try to do it, whereas your boss might not think confident about it and it might not give assurance that the task will be completed on time.
10. “I don’t have time for this”
It sounds like “I don’t want to do this”. If you are over worked and over your capacity, just tell your boss that it may conflict with other work and talk to them about prioritizing the tasks.
Be a part of the solution and not the problem. Nobody wants to hear complaints (your boss or your superior). We all have complaints at some point in time, but too much of complaint makes life difficult for your bosses/superiors. Be diplomatic while complaining and moreover try and provide a solution to the problem. Your boss needs to get the work done, so either they have to do it themselves or find someone else to do it. If they look out for someone else, it will look like they don’t see of value in in you and you might be in trouble during next appraisal cycle.
Getting a pink slip because your supervisor/superior did not like something, which you said or mentioned is something that will probably not happen to you on the spot. However, one careless phrase or sentence may adversely affect your entire career, especially if it creates a long lasting impression of you. Subconsciously, your boss may pass you for a promotion or let you go during layoffs simply because of the impression they got years ago due to something you said in the past. Believe me people have good memory when it comes to impressions. Chances are, your boss would not even remember exactly what you said but they are sure to remember what they have thought of it and would definitely form an impression of you because of what you said.
Some of the things that can put your career at risk could be::
1. “Why do I need to do this? This is stupid!”
Well, at times this does sound perfect, but don’t ever say this to your boss! Why, simply because this questions the authority of your boss/superior and their judgment about something that they believe has to be done. It belittles your boss and the entire enterprise and your boss might feel offended if this is his/her project/area of work. If your boss is asking you to do it, it might be important for him and he expects something important to come out of the work. By using these words/sentences you are openly challenge their competency and authority as a boss. You don’t want to take a chance, would you?
2. “That’s not in my job description”
The weaker players are the first ones to get pink slip or be a part of the work force reduction plan. In this economy, companies keep employees who can wear many hats, even if it is not technically in their job description, and who don’t complain about it. If your boss thinks you are unwilling or incapable to do what you’ve been asked, you will be considered a weak player.
3. “It is not my fault”
Most of the time nobody really cares whose fault it is. All that matters is the problem should be fixed. When you say it is not your fault, you sound as if you don’t want to fix the problem even though you intend to solve it and it will be worse if you are trying to cover up your mistake by pointing fingers at someone else. This behavior shows that you are not only unreliable but you can’t be trusted. It’s better to accept the mistake and fix the problem rather than covering it up.
4. “This is not my problem”
In reality, it might not be your problem. But if your boss has brought it up, there is a problem and he has bought it to you so ideally speaking it is your problem. Moreover, a problem at work is everyone’s problem, be it you or your boss or your colleagues. Saying this might convey a wrong message and moreover this shows that you don’t care and that you are not a very good team player. Ultimately, getting things done is the manager’s responsibility and saying it is not your problem automatically turns it into your boss’ problem.
5. “I don’t know how to do it”
It is absolutely ok if you don’t know something but all that matters is how you say it. If you say “I just don’t know”, it shows a weakness and it also may be interpreted as an excuse that you just don’t want to do it. I think it makes sense to say that you are prepared to do the task but I have not done this kind of work before and might need some assistance or guidance. You can ask for references for people who have done similar work in the past.
6. “I am overqualified for this”
Yeah, this sounds familiar. Many a times we say this “I am overqualified for this work”. May be you are, may be you are not. However, you are at work and you should just roll up your sleeves and get the work done instead of playing a big shot. Either you do it yourself, or find a person who can do it and delegate it to him. But the point is to get the work done. That is what is expected from you and anything less might convey a wrong message, maybe opposite of what you are trying to convey.
7. “It is impossible to do”
How many times you hear people say, nothing is impossible. If you say this you sound like “I don’t want to do it” or “I don’t know how to do it”. You might be right, but what if someone else is able to do that job without much difficulty, imagine what would be your situation? You might look like an incompetent person. It could be very devastating statements to be used, unless it is a very technical job and you know what you are talking about.
8. “I don’t get paid enough to do this job”
Recession is one word that gives goose bumps to everyone and anyone in the industry. In such situations, you might be the first ones to lose your job. There might be situations when you actually are below the pay band, but as I mentioned earlier all that matters is how you approach the situation.
9. “I will try”
It is good to give it a try, but your boss doesn’t want you to try it; they want you to do it. Sometimes it can be treated as a negative sentence. Though you might want to say you have not done it before but will still try to do it, whereas your boss might not think confident about it and it might not give assurance that the task will be completed on time.
10. “I don’t have time for this”
It sounds like “I don’t want to do this”. If you are over worked and over your capacity, just tell your boss that it may conflict with other work and talk to them about prioritizing the tasks.
Be a part of the solution and not the problem. Nobody wants to hear complaints (your boss or your superior). We all have complaints at some point in time, but too much of complaint makes life difficult for your bosses/superiors. Be diplomatic while complaining and moreover try and provide a solution to the problem. Your boss needs to get the work done, so either they have to do it themselves or find someone else to do it. If they look out for someone else, it will look like they don’t see of value in in you and you might be in trouble during next appraisal cycle.
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