15 Things Your Boss Is Tired of Hearing

The boss-employee relationship can be a precarious one. Even the best managers may have difficulty communicating at times, especially if an employee’s behaviour is frustrating. Whether you’ve been at your job for a few months or more than a decade, it’s important to realise that your words make a big difference in how your boss perceives you. Here are a few phrases you should avoid.

1. “That isn’t my job.”

You may have a very specific job description, but employees excel by doing whatever it takes to make an employer succeed. Always be ready to do more than expected or learn how to do something new. The result could be more job stability.

2. “I’ll quit if…”

Ultimatums tend to come across as threats, which likely won’t get the results you want. You may even find your boss calling your bluff, sending you straight to the unemployment line.

3. “I can’t come in today.”

An occasional sick day is to be expected but over time, a pattern of calling in can become a problem, whether it’s due to childcare issues, your own ongoing illnesses or just because you don't feel like it.

4. “I can’t afford to pay my bills.”

Frankly, it's not your boss's problem that you can afford things or not. When you accepted your position, you agreed to a salary, which may or may not have increased over time. Your employer’s sole responsibility is to issue that salary in the form of a pay check.

5. “I’m just here to earn a paycheck.”

It really isn't smart to mention this, whether it's true or not. Employees who go the extra mile and put the needs of the business first will be at the front of the line for raises or promotions. Also, get a hold of yourself and go find a job that you have some passion for, if you find that you are always "phoning it in" at work.

6. “It’s not my fault.”

When something goes wrong, avoid playing the blame game and instead focus on how you can work as part of a team to make things right.

7. “My last boss did it differently.”

Whether you’re talking about your previous employer or your boss’s predecessor, this information is irrelevant. Your current boss has every right to come up with a new approach.

8. “I can’t.”

In general, you should strike the word “can’t” from your vocabulary, but this is especially true when your boss asks you to do something. Always show a willingness to give your best effort.

9. “You didn’t tell me to do that.”

Even if your boss neglected to mention something, pointing that out won’t win you any points. Instead take the high road and promise to get right on whatever task needs to be done.

10. “I’m so sleepy.”

Even if you’ve been up all night working or caring for your infant, your boss doesn’t need to know about it.

11. “It’s unfair.”

Comparing yourself to coworkers only makes you look petty and jealous. Instead highlight your own attributes and impress your boss by executing your duties well. Avoid pointing out any preferential treatment you believe others may be getting.

12. “Sorry I’m late -- I had a job interview.”

It may seem crazy, but this happens more than you might think. No matter how strong your relationship is with a supervisor, there's no need to mention this. If you choose to look for a job, do so behind the scenes, during lunch breaks or after hours.

13. “I’m bored."

Instead of complaining about your empty to-do list, look around for ways you can help others lighten their workload. If you’re ready for more responsibility, let your boss know you want to tackle additional challenges and name specific things you’d like to learn.

14. “You’re wrong.”

At some point in your working relationship, your superior will be wrong. When that happens, point it out diplomatically, using words like, “I might be mistaken, but I thought…” instead of bluntly insulting your boss. If you correct your boss the right way, they may end up respecting and trusting you more.

15. “I quit.”

No matter how hard things get, never utter those two words in the heat of the moment. Always resign with two-weeks’ notice and only after you have a plan for replacing your income. More than that, look for a job or a team of people that won't leave you on the edge of quitting so easily.

Communication is essential to career success. When you’re trying to impress your boss, it’s important to know the right words to use. Even a small, offhand statement could send the wrong message, damaging your career for years. Remember, if you're not sure whether what you're about to say may be received well, give it a second thought. You may just need to rephrase it, or keep your mouth shut. 

Written By: John Boitnott 

Credit: Entrepeneur.com

How to Catch a Liar Before You Hire Them

Research shows that our ability to detect when someone is lying is just as good as an estimate or a guess. Perhaps, this is why lies get past us so often because our guess is that the person is not lying. For most people, the act of lying elicits several reactions because it takes the brain some time to pause and not tell the truth.

Some of these reactions include an increased stress response (think Brian Williams), a stance of defiance and dominance (think Lance Armstrong), and a covering of true emotions, otherwise known as the truth (think Anthony Weiner). Wouldn't it be great to know when you are being lied to? Or better yet, that you could get a heads-up before someone starts lying to you?

Mobile Technology will make you rethink your HR strategy

The use of mobile technology is on the rise, with employees using their smartphones on a regular basis. And, if you're an employer, this increase isn’t necessarily a bad thing.

Wrike’s 2016 Mobile Productivity Report found, for instance, that 44 percent of the more than 850 professionals surveyed said they checked their phones for work more than 20 times per day.

Ninety percent said they believed that their use of mobile technology was critical to getting their work done. Advancements in tech are inspiring businesses to use tech to improve productivity, engage their employees more and streamline processes to save time and labor. Here’s how mobile technology can be used to augment your human resources function, as well:

13 Unlikely Body language tips to help you land the job

Body languages cannot be underestimated in the search for jobs in this 21st century. Some employers do not overlook these signs as you go through your interview process: Learn more

Make the best impression. By the time you're invited for an in-person interview, hiring managers have already reviewed your qualifications for the job. They want to learn about you as a person. So make sure your body language communicates why they'd be crazy not to hire you.

Psych yourself up. Research by psychologist Amy Cuddy shows when we use expansive body language, we feel more confident. So spend a few minutes at home standing with your legs and arms spread wide or sprawling with your feet on your desk.

4 Interview Questions to Identify Trailblazers and Nonconformists

If you own a widget factory, what you need in employees is punctuality, efficiency, and the ability to withstand the boredom of repeatedly following a set procedure. But you're probably not running a widget factory. 

In pretty much any other sort of company, you're going to need some people who can think on their feet, challenge the status quo, and call BS when appropriate. In short, you're going to need what Wharton professor and best-selling author Adam Grantcalls "originals."

"We can't all be nonconformists at every moment, but conformity is dangerous," Grant says, explaining the value of originals and iconoclasts in a fascinating and lengthy recent First Round Review article. "If you don't hire originals, you run the risk of people disagreeing but not voicing their dissent."

10 Workplace Trends That Will Change the Way You Manage

From the rise of the sharing economy to the flexibility of remote work new technology provides, the workplace landscape as we know it is evolving faster than it ever has before. Some changes are subtle and others are great, but all will impact the way you hire, fire and manage in the years to come.

Ten entrepreneurs from Young Entrepreneur Council (YEC) share their predictions for what emerging trends will shape our workforce for the better in 2016.

How To Answer "What's Your Current Salary?"

You are almost guaranteed to get the question "What's your current salary?" or "What are you earning now?" when you're looking for a new job. You have to be ready to answer the question with a smile while keeping your personal salary-history information private.

Lots of in-house recruiters and third-party recruiters take it for granted that they are entitled to know your current and past salaries, but that is a bad assumption on their part.

3 Tips To Create A Workplace Culture That Employees Love

Workplace culture has made the news a lot lately — and it’s not always pretty.

This summer, the New York Times reported on Amazon’s “little-known experiment” in pushing its white-collar workers. Between internal competition and long hours, they revealed that pressure is so high employees regularly see their office mates in tears.

Maybe this works for Amazon, but for the rest of us, neglecting company culture (and making people cry) isn’t an option. Culture impacts morale, hiring, productivity and — ultimately — your bottom line. More than that, it’s about choosing whether you want an organization that benefits just you and your shareholders — or one that’s good for the entire team.

In 1994, I fired my entire company – all 11 employees. Having made some major hiring missteps, I had an epiphany and realized that culture is everything. From that moment on, I decided that our people and our culture would come first. To reinforce that choice and make myself accountable, I even posted “It’s all about people” in the front entrance of our office, in huge vinyl letters for everyone to see. It’s still there today reminding us of that commitment.

Here are three culture building tips from my experience on the frontlines.

Tip 1: Create a high-energy workplace. 

People spend more than half their lives at work – it should be fun. At O2E Brands, we have a casual, open-office environment that enables interaction and collaboration. Our president and I don’t have private offices (no one does), and it turns out that set-ups like this are good for business: open-offices boost communication, interpersonal relations and job satisfaction while reducing conflict.

But it’s not just the floor plan that keeps our people engaged. Every morning, the sound of a ringing marine bell cuts through the office buzz, signalling the start of our seven-minute standup “huddle”. The entire company attends to hear good news, numbers and even a (surprisingly non-cheesy) cheer. The huddle fosters transparency, collaboration and an opportunity to appreciate that we are working together as a team.

Other companies have amped up the workplace in different ways. Silicon Valley’s tech titans are famous for having everything from in-house massage and yoga studios to slides and fire poles. And you’ve probably seen video games or a ping-pong table at a workplace near you. The underlying goal of these efforts is similar: Create an environment where people love to do the work they love and everyone benefits.

Sorry Recruiters! My salary history is none of your business

As you move along in your career you'll find that more and more often, the obstacles and limitations you run into are under your control. 

We can complain about the worst aspects of the working world -- and believe me, there are plenty of them and I document them in my columns -- but it is not satisfying for very long to wring our hands about the way things are.