Things you should never say to your boss

Sometimes, we feel like we can do a better job than our bosses. That’s a legitimate belief, but not one that we can actually say to their faces without getting fired. And that’s not the only opinion that we should keep to ourselves in a corporate setting. When talking to your superiors, there are things that are better left unsaid. These include:

1. “That’s not my job.”

Chances are the task at hand really isn’t in your job description. But the trick in surviving and getting ahead in the corporate world is being able to do things other than what is expected of you. Telling your boss that what’s being asked is not your responsibility only says that you are not interested in moving up the food chain.

2. “It’s not my fault.”

It’s not that you should take the fall even if it isn’t really your fault. But bosses want to hear cooperation, not excuses. You should identify the problem and suggest ways to solve it. Saying it’s not your fault sounds suspiciously defensive (making people think that it’s actually your fault) and that you have no interest in being part of the solution.

3. “I’m not getting paid enough for this.”

Maybe you’re right, but most of the time, you’re wrong. Your boss will only get the impression that you think too highly of yourself and that you’re a flight risk. There are other ways to signify that you’re gunning for a salary increase and complaining is not one of them.

4. “I had a really rough night.”

Whatever your reason is for not being efficient, your boss won’t have any of it. What you do in your personal time is your business. When you’re in the office, your job is to do your job and not give excuses why you’re not doing it.

5. “I’m overqualified for this job.”

You could be overqualified for your job, but the thing is, that is your job, which you applied for to begin with. If you feel like your skills and talents are not being utilized, then it’s time to find a job that’s more suited for you. If you choose to stay, don’t express your resentment and just be happy that you actually have a job.

6. “Do I really have to do that?”

If you don’t have to do it, you wouldn’t be instructed to do it in the first place. Productivity is very important and bosses will not be wasting your man-hours. If the task is really redundant or unnecessary, suggest an alternative. But never teach them how to do their job.

7. “It can’t be done.”

Flat out saying that a certain task is impossible to be accomplished is a major red flag. It either implies that you just don’t want to do it or you’re incapable of doing it. If you’re really sure that something can’t be done (meaning, you’ve exhausted all ways and means to come up with a solution to no avail), what you should do is to explain your point proficiently and provide a workaround.

8. “I don’t know how to do that.”

If it’s something you haven’t done before, tell your boss that you’re inexperienced in that area and maybe he or she can guide you through it or direct you to someone who has the necessary knowledge.

9. “I can only do one thing at a time.”

This is another thing that sounds like an excuse. And it also reeks of incompetency. Multitasking is a requirement these days because everything is fast-paced. If your plate is full, talk to your boss about which task needs to be prioritized. If you have a one-track mind, trust that you can easily be replaced by someone more productive.

10. “Why don’t you do it yourself?”

Now, that’s just insulting, isn’t it? –Ed Biado, Manila Standard Today