10 Worst Things to Say at Work

[Njowepo]

By 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 tell your boss only 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.

5. “It’s not my fault.”
When your boss comes to you with a problem, the last thing you want to do is to deflect blame to someone else. Maybe it isn’t your fault, but remember that you’re not in a courtroom and nobody’s looking for the culprit right now. All that matters is making sure the problem is solved and doesn’t happen again. You can deal with the real issue later, but you’ll just make yourself look worse if you spend more time finger-pointing than problem solving.

6. “To be honest with you … ”
First, any time this phrase is used, you know something negative is going to follow. More important is the message it sends to others. “Does this colleague have to identify when he or she is being honest with you? When that phrase is not used, should you then doubt the integrity of the statement?” Lampton asks. Instead, without being rude, say what you need to say in a straightforward manner.

7. “Whom did you vote for?”
The old adage that you shouldn’t discuss politics is as true today as ever before. While it’s great that you’re an active citizen performing your civic duty, save the political talk for your personal blog. Even if the conversation doesn’t result in an argument, you never know whom you’re making uncomfortable or who will hold your views against you. In a sea of cubicles, there are more people listening to your conversation than you think.

8. “I got so trashed last night … ”
You’re probably not the only person in the office to indulge in a drink (or a keg) now and then, but you’re probably the only one bragging about it to your boss. Although your night of binge drinking didn’t force you to call in sick this morning, it can create the image of an unreliable partier who forgot to leave the beer bong in the dorm room.

9. “I just didn’t have enough time for that.”
In case you didn’t realize, everybody’s pretty busy these days. When your boss asks you to do something, chances are it’s not really an option. If your main concern is accomplishing the task on time, Lampton suggests you explain the situation. Mention how busy your schedule is but that you can accommodate the request if some other projects are rearranged. You’ll show that you take each assignment seriously and only want to turn in your best work.

10. “. . . or else.”
Giving anyone in the office an ultimatum rarely ends in success. Whether you say it to a colleague or your new intern, you’ll only gain enemies and earn a reputation for being difficult. If cordial requests don’t work and threats are the only way to get things done in the office, you need to re-evaluate your work environment.

Anthony Balderrama is a writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com. He researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues.

 

[Haika]

Quite True, But Hard To Implement All Of It.

 

[Pundit]

Quite True, But Hard To Implement All Of It.

Haika,

Not unless ur a chatterbox.

 

[Haika]

Haika,

Not unless ur a chatterbox.

Not exactly,
problem is not on me, but i can imagine somebody here who hates the way things just come out exactly the same way as avove, he hates it and wants to change but the tongue just slips at the wrong time in the wrong place.
fortunately his work gives big results.
I am the worst kind, i accept the jobs and I fail to complete,

 

[Pundit]

Not exactly,
problem is not on me, but i can imagine somebody here who hates the way things just come out exactly the same way as avove, he hates it and wants to change but the tongue just slips at the wrong time in the wrong place.
fortunately his work gives big results.
I am the worst kind, i accept the jobs and I fail to complete,

You are too nice!

 

[LazyDog]

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 tell your boss only 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.

I like that one. Na ndio maana wapo watu wanao ogopa sana kwenda kudai nyongeza ya mshahara kwa sababu hii. Mtu anabaki kulalama anapoona "fresh from school" analipwa kumzidi.



.

 

[LazyDog]

Haika,

Not unless ur a chatterbox.

That wasn't nice to say, was it?
Unless you meant something else.



chatterbox - an obnoxious and foolish and loquacious talker



.

 

[Kuhani]

Article inabainisha "plantation mentality" ambayo ndio mfumo mzima wa kazi Marekani ulikoanzia.

Sijawahi kuona hivi viorodha vya "not-to-say" vinashauri ni jinsi gani mwajiri abadili tabia, ili kuboresha motisha na uzalishaji wa mfanyakazi.

Siku zote ni ushauri wa jinsi ya kunyoosha tabia ya mwajiriwa ili kumfurahisha na kujikombakomba kwa bosi hata kwa visivyowezekana. Unaambiwa usisema "kazi zimenizidia" au "hii sio kazi yangu" lakini hapo unaambiwa usisema "ndio, hakuna tatizo," wakati humaanishi. Ina maana ujifunze, kama wanavyosema wenyewe Wamarekani, ujifunze "kubusu unyuma" wa mwajiri!

Unaambiwa "usiombe nyongeza hata kama umekaa sana kazini, ila dhihirisha faida yako kwa mwajiri." Lakini wao siku ya usaili wanakuuliza "una ujuzi kiasi gani? Ni kama wanasema hiyo miaka 10 uliyokaa kazini bila nyongeza sio faida kwao, na walikuwa wanakuvumilia tu. Tafadhali bepari!

Mwajiri nae haambiwi na yeye aweke rekodi za ufanisi wako ili ajue wakati muafaka wa wewe kupata nyongeza bila ya wewe kulazimika kudhihirisha vitu ambavyo yeye ndio ana vielelezo zaidi. Yeye ndio ana faili lako, na kuna wakati Bosi anajua zaidi uzalishaji wako kuliko wewe mwenyewe. Unaweza kuwa kila siku unashuhudia mafaili ya wateja kibao, na ma invoice, na work order yanavyo ingia. Lakini huwezi kufunguliwa daftari la hesabu linaloonyesha kwamba, katika dola X zilizozalishwa quarter iliyopita, asilimia Y ni kwa juhudi za Kuhani Mkuu. Hizo data hawakupi hata siku moja. Sasa nani anaweza zaidi kudhihirisha ufanisi wangu, pasipo mimi kwenda mahakamani ku subpoena document za mahesabu ya ofisi ili kuomba nyongeza?

Ni ubeberu wenye nia ya kuendeleza unyonyaji unaofanywa na Mangimeza wanaosaidiwa na Manyapara kuhakikisha kwamba utabaka ulioanzishwa ili kulinda ukupe haupunguzi faida za Makabaila.

Mbegu za unyonyaji zilishapandwa kwenye mashamba ya tumbaku na mahindi, Jamestown, Virginia, siku ngalawa za mateka zilipowasili kutoka Afrika!

 

[Pundit]

That wasn't nice to say, was it?
Unless you meant something else.



chatterbox - an obnoxious and foolish and loquacious talker



.

I meant as in the excessive talker, not necessarily with all the negativities, you know the happy go lucky, people person, A type goal getter, team oriented but sufficiently competitive, overly apologetic, extra mile going, cookie distributing, local green market volunteering, plastic smile flashing tree hugging do gooder.

You know the type, if ur in the US there is at least one in every office worth its weight in salt.

Can be annoying but way better than psychotic Sean or ghettolicious Takweisha.

 

[LazyDog]

Ungependelea mfumo upi Kuhani Mkuu?
Mara nyingi haki hutafutwa hata kupiganiwa.

Kama mtu hajitambui, wala hafahamu thamani yake kwa muajiri wake licha ya vijiorodha vingi kama ilivyo kwenye post hii - mimi muajiri nitamsaidiaje mtu huyu?

Most people prefer not to find another job (for example) because they've chosen a comfort zone.
I'll continue to learn how to play the game na kutambua thamani yangu kama muajiriwa. It is my hope that some day i'll be THE employer. I will pay close attention to REWARD and APPRAISAL thing to employees though.



.

 

[Pundit]

Ungependelea mfumo upi Kuhani Mkuu?
Mara nyingi haki hutafutwa hata kupiganiwa.

Kama mtu hajitambui, wala hafahamu thamani yake kwa muajiri wake licha ya vijiorodha vingi kama ilivyo kwenye post hii - mimi muajiri nitamsaidiaje mtu huyu?

Most people prefer not to find another job (for example) because they've chosen a comfort zone.
I'll continue to learn how to play the game na kutambua thamani yangu kama muajiriwa. It is my hope that some day i'll be an employer.



.

Lazydog,

Tatizo ni kuwa by the time tumefigure out kuwa employers, wana tu control na small business loans na interest rates and insurance and all that other crap.

You have to be several steps ahead of the crowd, not just one step becausae they can see several steps ahead.

 

[Kuhani]

Ungependelea mfumo upi Kuhani Mkuu?
Mara nyingi haki hutafutwa hata kupiganiwa.

Kama mtu hajitambui, wala hafahamu thamani yake kwa muajiri wake licha ya vijiorodha vingi kama ilivyo kwenye post hii - mimi muajiri nitamsaidiaje mtu huyu?

.

Kwanza inategemea uko katika mfumo gani wa kazi ki-nchi. Nililenga zaidi kukosoa kile kiorodha kinachooneka ni cha Kimarekani kwa sababu nimefanya kazi katika mfumo huo ambao umejaa "kubusu unyuma" wa bosi kila siku.

Kama wewe ni mwajiri wa Tanzania, huo ni mfumo mwingine, ambao nao una matatizo yake mengine: kuuziana mandazi ya chai asubuhi mpaka saa 4, kusoma gazeti mpaka saa 6, kwenda lanchi mpaka saa nane, kufanya ka kazi kidogo mpaka saa nane na nusu, kutoka ofisini kidogo kwenda mjini mpaka saa kumi kasoro, kujiandaa kufungasha virago mpaka saa ya kufungasha virago saa 11. Hiyo ndio personal experience yangu ya kufanya kazi Tanzania.

Haki hupiganiwa, ndio maana sipendi viorodha vya "what-to-say" kazini, vinavyomfundisha mnyimwa haki kuwa dovish, kuwa na roho ya njiwa anaefugwa mpaka siku ya kuchinjwa, badala ya kuwa hawkish, kuwa na roho ya kunguru asiyefugika na anaejinyakulia riziki yake anaanza.

Nataka mfumo wowote ambao unampa mwajiri pia viorodha vya "what-not-to- do."

 

[Mwazange]

Naungana na Kuhani Mkuu kwa hili, kama kweli wanataka kueneza hizo haki za muajiri na muajiriwa, lini uliona mfanyakazi wa chini, anayechakarika katika kulisimamisha jina la kampuni akapata credit. Quater hii tumepata faida zaidi, basi GM na CEO atazawadiwa hisa zaidi za kampuni, na bonus lukuki, yele mwajiriwa aliyeuswaga kuifikisha kampuni hapo ilipo, mwajiriwa aliyekuwa akipokea simu za matusi kutoka kwa wateja, mwajiriwa awekae masaa zaidi ya kufanya kazi wakati mabosi wako vekesheni, mwajiriwa ahakikishaye mahesabu ya kampuni yana sura nzuri mbele ya wawekezaji, mwajiriwa huyo hufanyiwa kapikniki fulani wakati wa breki na kununuliwa pizza. Hiyo haki iko wapi???? Mwenye jibu na anijibu.

 

[Mbu]

what-not-to- Say;

"...if you don't like this job, LEAVE!"

"...you are NOT going home today until you finish that job!"

"...you are too old/SLOW for this job!"