Work

If you want a promotion, NEVER say these 30 phrases to your boss

2016-03-21 , 11:56 am

Last Updated on 2016-05-19 , 1:53 pm

Some of us might be inclined to pour out their hearts and souls to our bosses, especially if they are really nice and understanding people. However, your boss is not your friend. Repeat after me, your boss is not your friend. There are just some things that are better left unsaid to them, or you should at least rephrase in a more appropriate way. If you think that you may regret saying it, then yes, you will very likely regret it. We review these things below!

You’re wrong.
The boss = customer. Customers are always right.

I cannot
You are an employee. You are supposed to be hired for your capability, not incapability.

This is not my job
You should know that the job landscape is rapidly evolving, so are jobscopes. Better start looking for another job if you want to say this.

I don’t know
At least try to make an educated guess?

No
The boss doesn’t like outright rejections. At least give an excuse in a roundabout way.

I will try
How would you like it if you ask your boss to give you a day’s leave, and he says “I’ll try”?

What I heard wasn’t this
Avoid guessing wildly based on rumours. Wait until you get some more solid proof.

What do I get out of this?
Retaining your ass on your office seat, of course. Bosses hate it when employees can’t work in a team.

Sorry, but…
Just apologise and say you will take note the next time. Picking a fight is not the way to go.

I just broke up with my other half, so…
Highly unprofessional. Take an MC if you are so heartbroken.

I’ve already tried my best.
And you still failed? Just say that you will definitely succeed next time.

I’ve already tried it before but…
You sound like a whiny kid. Consider if you’ve really put in your best.

I want to resign
Do not ever say this in a fit of anger, or you may find yourself fired first before you actually resign.

I just thought…
Bosses don’t want excuses, they want you to learn from mistakes.

I did it like this when I was in my previous job.
No boss likes to be compared to another boss. Don’t risk crawling back to your ex-boss.

This is his/her fault.
Unless you had absolutely nothing to do with the matter, think twice before saying this.

If only I didn’t heed your advice…
Are you warning your boss about his incompetency?

I can’t work with him/her.
Are you still in primary school?

He/she is so stupid.
Again, are you still in primary school? These kind of insults only show your immaturity.

Why does he/she always do this?
Want to complain, go back home and cry. Your boss is not your Aunt Agony.

I’m so bored.
You mean, you want your boss to know that he is paying you for doing nothing?

Can I talk to HR/your superior?
There is nothing worse than threatening your boss by jumping the ranks in your complaints. Don’t need to tell you that you are going to HR. For clearance.

I don’t have a solution
Then what did he hire you for?

Let me tell you about this hot guy/girl I met last night!
Your boss is not your bro/girlfriends.

Why does he have this and I don’t?
This makes you sound like a whiny brat. Only make your argument if you have valid points to back up why you should be paid the same amount.

I’m really busy, can I do this later?
Even if you are really busy, find out which task to prioritise first by asking for your boss’s opinions.

This is impossible.
This is useless talk. Explain your difficulties.

I want to apply for leave tomorrow.
This is a demand. Make it into a politely phrased request.

If there’s nothing else, can I go?
There is always something, however minor. At least show some initiative before you make an announcement that you are moving off.

If you want a promotion, NEVER say these 30 phrases to your boss

Here’s a simplified summary of the South Korea martial law that even a 5-year-old would understand:

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