What should you pay attention to when talking to your boss? The minefields of talking to your boss in the workplace

There are certain "unspoken rules" for getting along with colleagues and leaders in the workplace, and you can't do it without any scruples, including in conversation. Being too eloquent is not necessarily a good thing, especially when talking to leaders, you must pay attention to some words, some things that cannot be said casually in the workplace, you must pay attention to keeping your mouth shut and do more work. So what should you pay attention to specifically?

What should you pay attention to when talking to your leader?

1. Talking about other colleagues’ shortcomings or mistakes in front of the boss: This kind of behind-the-scenes behavior will make the boss think that you are a scheming villain, which will only affect the unity among employees;

2. Reporting to the leader in an uncertain tone: for example, "almost", "maybe", "possibly", "should", etc. The leader wants to hear the specific progress of the matter, or specific data, as well as whether it is feasible, what are the risks, etc. He is the one who asks the question, and you are the one who gives the specific answer. Your uncertain answer is equivalent to throwing the question back to the leader. This is equivalent to you doing nothing. It makes people doubt your ability.

3. Asking for a raise by threatening to resign: There are many people in the workplace who think they are superior and arrogant. They think that the leader cannot do without them, so they threaten to resign to ask the leader for a raise. First of all, no matter whether the leader will give you a raise or not, this way of asking for a raise is enough to send you to hell. Even if they force you to raise your salary, you will be ruthlessly kicked out sooner or later.

4. Matters concerning privacy: In the workplace, leaders, in order to show their generosity, sometimes tend to inadvertently care about their subordinates and ask some more private questions. In fact, these are just polite questions from the leaders. You only need to thank the leader for his concern and then pass it by. Don't talk too much, and don't ask too much about the leader's privacy.

5. Uncertain things: Leaders are usually very busy, so when you interact with them, you must have a basis for talking about work and a context for things. Never make things up. Don’t tell them uncertain, unverified things just to attract their attention or to show off yourself. If the leader takes it seriously and investigates it, you will be embarrassed. Moreover, once the leader forms the impression that you are not pragmatic, it will be difficult to change it no matter how you try to change in the future.

The minefield of talking to leaders in the workplace

1. “I don’t know. I’m not sure.”

[Suggestion] Pay attention to work details, use positive words in reports, and be prepared to express yourself.

2. "No way, no idea."

[Suggestion] Think more about solutions. If you encounter a temporary bottleneck, you can take the initiative to communicate your confusion with your leader, but you cannot refuse to think.

3. "Let me check."

[Suggestion] When your boss asks you about a number or the progress of a certain work, even if you can't remember it clearly, don't rashly say "I'll check it." Instead, you should say: "Last week, 54% was completed. With the rush of work in the past few days, it should be more than 60%."

4. "Wait a moment."

If your boss calls you or sends someone to his office to discuss work, you should never say "wait a moment" but "OK, I'll be there right away." No matter how important the work at hand is, you should put it aside immediately.

5. “I think we should…”

[Suggestion] When discussing work with your leader and he asks for your opinion, don’t just say “I think we should…”. Instead, say: I suggest…

6. “I’ve tried my best.”

[Suggestion] If the work is not done well, you should look for the reasons from the method. Don't just say "I have tried my best". That will make you look incompetent. You should say: "Although everyone has worked hard, the work is still not done well. It may be a problem with the method. I will adjust my thinking."

7. “It’s all because of…”

[Suggestion] When disputes or problems arise, don’t push them onto others. Leaders want results, not accusations against others. So, you should say: “I have some responsibility for this matter. I didn’t communicate well with XXX, and I will correct it immediately.”

8. Comparing salaries with others (salaries are confidential in the workplace)

[Suggestion] When negotiating salary, you should talk about your performance, KPIs, and your own value. Any other communication is meaningless.

9. Communicate with a negative attitude and show no enthusiasm for tasks assigned by superiors.

[Suggestion] Respond to your leader with a positive attitude and proactively provide a delivery time when the other party assigns a task.

10. The report has no logic and points. The superior cannot clearly understand what you need to express.

[Suggestion] When reporting, talk about the results first, then the process. When reporting, explain the points in points, first, second, and third, which makes the logic clear and easier to understand.

Several tips for talking to leaders

1. Respect the other person and be as polite as possible when speaking. For example, "report" is much more polite than "I tell you."

2. When expressing different opinions in a tactful way, you should pay attention to the way of expression and pay attention to language skills.

3. Listen. When the leader is speaking, interrupt less and listen carefully. Generally, you can respond with a nod or a smile.

4. Pay attention to small details, such as knocking on the door when entering, greeting people when meeting them, and leaving at the right time.

5. Be objective. When communicating issues with leaders, adhere to the principle of seeking truth from facts, neither exaggerate nor minimize, and state the situation as it actually is.

6. Have a good subjective awareness of upward communication.

Related News

Almost everyone has their own leaders and superiors in the workplace. These leaders and superiors include direct leaders (superiors) and indirect leaders (superiors). As a subordinate, you should control your mouth and fulfill your responsibilities in the workplace. Especially when communicating with leaders, you should know which words can only be mentioned briefly and which words are not suitable to be said to leaders, because, first, you need to maintain your image in the workplace, and second, you need to make your career destiny smooth. The key is that in many cases, your career destiny is closely and directly related to your leaders. Therefore, when communicating with leaders, you should avoid saying things that are not suitable to be said to leaders.