What Not To Say To Your Boss

I agree with the "It's not my job" bit. There's nothing worse, and when I managed retail, restaurants, or anything, it was a sure sign of the employee who wasn't going to be around much longer, consequently I apprececiated knowing this, because then I wasn't wasting time investing in them training-wise.

Every job I'd ever had when I was just starting out, led to promotion in status and pay precisely because of my willingness to go above and beyond. It was my business, in my opinion, to learn as much as possible about everyone's job, not just mine, and so it was educational for me to eagerly do a job that I wasn't being paid for... It ended up being the best move I could possibly make, so glad I thought that way.

As far as breaking a confidence goes, just remember that if they do it with you, they'll do it TO you. It's always made me cringe on the inside a little when you know someone's being duplicitous.

In 97.99% of jobs I had, I was pretty much the boss's pet. Just like I was the teacher's pet. There was always that one teacher or boss who no one could stand. But hey, I aimed to please, and was naturally good meeting and exceeding expectations.

Later in life when I started sesveral of my own businesses, those qualities served me well as it extended to suppliers, secretaries of state, etc. They allowed me to gain access to things others couldn't expect, and for that I'm glad.

Common sense, eh? Amazing how so many people have so little of it.

Hey, Mr. Trump -

Any reason why this site (forteprops.wordpress.com) has your article, almost word-for-word, without crediting you?

when and how would you ask for a raise? I would think the best way is to quantify what you have done for the company, and by doing so you show results you have produced. Just a thought. http://www.HolaNewMexico.com

Nobody's born smart and romantic relationships aren't taught in college. The school of hard knocks is the only way of learning what not to say to women.

Very few bosses don't think the average cost of living merits a raise either. Four years without a raise proferred by the boss is a slap in the face.

"It's not my fault"..."I got so trashed last night"... and "I just didn't have enough time for that" could be a sign that the boss is being a slave driver. Before automatically labelling that worker to be a loser I would investigate his claims by entering into an open dialogue with him/her. True, a loser is someone who is losing at his responsibilies but nobody bats a .1000.

Mr. Trump, you are assuming that the boss is doing things the way that he should. I understand that if you hate working for someone, then forget it...quit. But, there are times when it is not the "boss-boss" that you answer to, but a manager or supervisor. Let's just say that you believe in, and admire the big boss, but your immediate boss, or bosses, are not a reflection of the big boss...at all. In fact, they are the exact opposite - wannabe big shots, without doing the work - coat-tail riders, who are yes-men & women with no ambition...who throw people under the bus, every chance they get...while they come out looking like a rose. However, there is no way of letting the big boss know that he has some nasty, lying, sniveling, scheming people working for him - because you don't want to break protocol - and you would probably pee your pants or vomit if you had to tell him in person. Would you advise a person in such a position to tell the big boss, or, would the big boss just think that that person was crazy, because there is no way that the big boss would not see how inept the people were that he had personally chosen?
It would be no fault of the big boss, (as some people start out as, seemingly, great employees - they are good actors and become accustomed to lying about everything because, for some reason, they are miserable), if he made a mistake in one of the people that he hired. You know the saying, "One bad apple, spoils the bunch!" If you have a psycho supervisor, everyone is affected... the bad attitude spreads like cancer!
What do you do in that situation? If you are the low man on the totem pole, and the guy at the top is your hero... but the guys in between are garbage, but they pretend that they are good in the presence of the big boss, so he never sees the "real" them? Wouldn't the big boss sense the dishonesty, even if you didn't tell him? What is a person to do? How does the loyal, honest person ever win in such a situation?

Sorry, that should have been, "smelling like a rose," and looking like rock stars.

Maybe the "big boss" knows but he doesn't know everything, so he doesn't consider the behavior of the intermediate boss a big deal. Maybe the big boss knows everything, and wants to see just how dishonest and cut-throat the bad guys are, and is creating a paper/infraction trail of his own.

I would imagine that in a situation such as this, one must go with their gut and hope that they made the right choice - even if it means losing one's job. And, eventually, the bad bosses will go down and justice will be served.

Never say, I'm sorry. Instead say, "I can be a jerk sometimes but I never meant to hurt you.
Please forgive me. " Then walk out the door and never look back. You would be better off working alone than working with someone who NEVER makes a mistake, or find a group of people to work with that share your interests and can teach you how to avoid unnecessary mistakes that disrupt hard work and success.

Employees need to even the playing field. Sign a contract. Know what you are responsible for then do it!

This does NOT apply to "FORCED LABOR" which is criminal. This is one of the reasons why America is such a great country! If you don't like your boss, you can FIRE HIM!

Office politics sound like they are getting very nasty. A good reason to start your own business and create a policy that you would like to live with if you count yourself as an employee. You may be the CEO, but your success depends on being the BEST CEO.

I have called myself an idiot before, then I evaluated my actions, forgave myself when necessary and moved on to the next problem. Learn from your mistakes and adjust your thinking and behavior to avoid making the same mistake again.

This is how good employees grow to become valued employees. Not by the salary they make.

When I am in a relationship, I demand honesty. I respect the opinion of the other person (s)because I have tested them. Being honest does not have to sound cruel. If I look fat in a dress(in your opinion) it gives me the opportunity to change the dress so I can feel comfortable knowing I look my best. This is especially true if you are my personal shopper or fashion designer.
If your bald head bothers me, it gives you the opportunity to get a hair transplant, a wig, or find someone who doesn't care about such things. Why spend valuable time with someone who repulses you? Avoiding the truth can be more harmful to a relationship that is not based on TRUST. If you want children and I don't, don't ask me to marry you. Tell the TRUTH BEFORE we make a mistake, don't say YES to something you don't want, no matter how much money or other benefits are offered. This is how miserable relationships are made!

Not long ago I had a collegue come to me in confidence as usual the lunch box ethics kicked in and she confided, our boss was a coward.

In that moment, while she might have considered this a strategic moment to scare or otherwise shake me, the effect was the exact opposite, I no longer considered her a team player. She was an opposition to our leading force.

I left the team shortly after that. I did not quit however many issues compounded to equate an unhealthy work environment whereby should I not focus my direction then all else could have failed.

lightwayvez
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lightwayvez,

I understand your loyalty to leadership. Did you ask her WHY she felt the boss was a coward?
I would want to know her logic, so I could avoid making the same mistake, or agree with her
and mention it to the boss. I can assure you, I would share an open relationship with the
boss or I would't be working there, much less change my position because I didn't like
what someone said.

I do agree with you though, when you exited because you felt it was the best for YOUR
happiness at work. Life is too short to waste it working (how many hours?) with people
you don't enjoy being around. Lunch box, water cooler or over drinks at a Country Club,
misery is not for ME.
Cheryle

Cheryle,

Your question to me asks, did I know why she called the boss a coward.

I didn't need to, he illustrated the top ten reasons while I worked there.

So you have put me to the task of asking Mr Trump,

What Not To Say To Your Staff ?

In the short time I worked there too many safety infractions such as intentionally turning off annoying smoke alarms that discredit proper Insurance Claims on valuable property to lack of effective telecommunications for graveyard staffers. Those are just a few of the safety issues that connote my health and safety comes first. I was not the first to leave due to lack of safe working techniques. I went through three men on my shift due in large to lack of snow tires and other issues, that while they seem trite could cost a person their investment or even worse their lives.

lightwayvez
----------------------

The absolute killer for your career is office gossip. You don't know who else might be listening,especially if you believe you're up for a promotion. The best thing to do is don't get involved in it and don't start it.



Natalie Cartledge

Very interesting about the duplicate article. There is some plagerism going on here for sure. Not sure who is the original author but I know for sure that some one has passed of anothers work as their own, which is illegal and unethical.

I just noticed Mr.Trumps post was created at 9am on the 6th while the other website posted the article at about 4pm on the 6th. Clearly someone is plagerising Mr.Trump.

lightwayvez,
How right you are. Safety and health are vital and benefit everyone in the Company or
Organization. Often, employees and sometimes employers overlook this important
concern until some disaster happens that might have been avoided.
I would think an intelligent man like Mr. Trump would value an employee who was looking
out for his best interests while on the job instead of acting like an ostrich and burying his
head in the sand. Avoiding problems, as others have suggested, doesn't really protect the
safety, health and happiness of the people who will be most harmed should a disaster
happen.
If I were your boss, I would pat you on the back for bringing this to my attention.
Cheryle

My boss have valued me in his organisation and offered me a supervisional post, in seeing my potential only after working in 2 months. Silly me I listened to the office gossip that the job is too challenging as many have quit before myself. I now realise that after reading this I should have not hesitated and took the post anyways. I am no longer into office gossip, or any efforts to demoralize and demotivate others. I notice those who join the circle of gossippers are actually low in effort and lazy while pointing at others being unjust to them. Well thanks for the tip, it is always good to learn what to avoid in the workplace.

"I need more money." Today these words can get you the ax unless you are a CEO in
the Mortgage Meltdown Crisis. Lucky them. They get millions of dollars added to their
already staggering bonuses even if their company has a very costly loss.
Sometimes I wish I studied math and finances instead of Art.
Cheryle

I am absolutely agree with Mr Trump. Those words are always besides the mouth of Chinese employee, so I am not so suprised when I read this. People in my motherland usually find excuses when they are blamed by their bosses.(just the phenomenon around me and also some professional experts admit)
Honestly, now in China, everything is decided by money, in my opinion, this lead to the poor relationship between people. My mother, dated back long time ago, has paid much to the honesty and good relationship to culture her children. But under this especial economic environment, she has to do so. I am opmistic, China will become stronger.
For that, we need to learn good experience from developed countries, not only the technology but also the good ideas, fine thoughts. We are lack in minds, thoughts. Thank you for Mr Trump's thoughts.
Here are some words I describe some bad characters in some Chinese employee:
1> Take no responsibility and feel natural to put the job to others.
2> Fine excuse, sometimes.
3> Think for themselves rather than the company.
4> Always find the feelings at home when in the company, finally, the result turn to contrast. They just can't find fun.
5> They like to say"I don't know""Depend on you""Take care of myself, it's none of my business"
As a student, I am only in a world seperated from the world, so some of those comments may be subjective in some degree.
Thank you anther time.Good luck~

That's not my job is one of the worst things you could say to any employer, except maybe to insult his wife or children. Your job is what you are told to do. You do the best you can and if it is above your capabilities you ask for help. The words can't and won't should not be part of anyone's vocabulary.

Believe me, I've heard all of these things from my staff. I didn't do the recruiting for my staff. Is there a way to shift them to team-working and taking responsibility.

To be honest I entered a semi-communist enterprise that I'm trying to shift to a market oriented one.

I'm thinking of should I stay of should I go (for more cash of course :-))

Mile from Macedonia

Did I say too much? It is what it is.

Anyway, whenever you hear "That's not my job!" I hope you have it covered and can respond, "Refer to clause #(last one on the contract) I believe it says "And other duties as assigned by management, that means it just became your job."

Hi Mr. Trump. I think for an employee to say "..this is not my job" is like throwing a bucket of hot water at the boss. It is something that should not be said. If one is not happy with the job, then it is time to move on. My employees are informed, from day one, that a good attitude has more value than knowledge since knowledge always can be acquiered along the way. As a hospitality business owner, I look for people with good traits. A person with a good attitude will cooperate and will be appreciated in any job he or she gets involved in. If an employee feels that at the moment they have to many things to do that will compromise his or her performance then she or he should tell the boss the reasons why the job will take a certain amount of time instead of avoiding to do the job.

Elizabeth
Casadelvallecostarica.com

We really have to be careful with everything we utter in order to maintain SIR or Smooth Interpersonal Relationship with our co-workers as well as with our employer. Being rude might be a ground for job termination. Unemployment is such a lousy condition that most people would rather endure infectious disease before enduring unemployment. It makes all kinds of things far worse than they used to be, such as late fees or real estate taxes. You can't even get a payday loan if you're collecting unemployment insurance. You may even have to take an unplanned vacation to find another job. It is never pleasant to contemplate, worse to endure. The numbers of those afflicted are becoming pandemic, and it includes the kind of people you'd never suspect – lawyers, nurses, teachers, police officers, firemen, normally stable and noble careers are susceptible. Let's hope the debt relief from the stimulus can reverse the <a rev="vote for" title="I’m Getting a Payday Loan" href="http://personalmoneystore.com/moneyblog/2009/04/29/im-payday-lo... trend.

true indeed..