Articles: June 2008 Archives

10 Worst Things to Say at Work

 

g0408033.jpgBy Anthony Balderrama, CareerBuilder.com writer Over time, you've probably learned what not to say in a relationship. "Are you losing your hair?" "Yes, you do look fat in that dress." "I should give my old boyfriend a call." "You're just like your mother." Experience has taught you just how much trouble you can get into with a few words. When it comes to the workplace, however, you might not realize there are plenty of things you can say to damage your work relationships or even your own career. An off-the-cuff remark that you think went unnoticed, for example, might be the first thing your boss remembers when he thinks about you. "During my 23 years in management, I heard many comments from colleagues that reduced their credibility and damaged morale," says Bill Lampton, Ph.D. and author of "The Complete Communicator: Change Your Communication, Change Your Life!" Remember: Just because you don't end up sleeping on the couch, it doesn't mean your mouth can't still get you in trouble. For the sake of your career, we've put together a list of things you should avoid saying at work.

1. "That's not my job." If somebody comes to you with an issue, there's probably a reason. It might be your responsibility to deal with it or your input is valued. Either way, use the situation to prove you're a team player and a problem solver. Plus, it pays to earn some good office karma because you never know when you'll need help from other colleagues.

 2. "Yeah, no problem." (If you don't mean it.) If you take on a task with a smile but have no intention of actually completing it, you're going to earn a reputation as an unreliable person. If you know you can't or won't complete the project, be honest about it. Your colleagues are relying on you, so your decision not to follow through impacts their jobs, too.

3. "Don't tell anyone I said this, but ... " If it's really a secret, keep it to yourself. Whether you know someone's about to get fired or what the boss' salary is, you're going to get credit for spreading the news. You're not exempt from being the subject of office chatter, either. Don't expect your gossip-loving co-worker to suddenly have tight lips when it comes to divulging your secrets.

4. "I haven't had a raise in four years." "Most savvy supervisors don't think longevity merits a raise - only high productivity does," Lampton states. Asking for a raise because of how long it's been since your last one will only tell your boss that you want more money, not that you deserve it. Instead, highlight the accomplishments you've made in the last four years, Lampton suggests. Prove the raise is merited.

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This page is a archive of entries in the Articles category from June 2008.

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