Your Boss Doesn't Want to Hear This

Being upfront with your boss creates a healthy work relationship, but that doesn't mean you have a free pass to say whatever you want. Many common responses put managers on edge and make them question an employee's work ethic. You can smooth over most tense situations with excellent communication skills, so purge these hated phrases from your vocabulary to stay on your boss's good side.

1. I Can Try

It's not the words, but your tone and body language, that make this statement an annoyance to managers. Sighing, rolling your eyes or crossing your arms are defensive behaviors that show your frustration about being asked to do something outside your comfort zone. Not to mention, it sends the message that you're approaching the task with a defeatist attitude, ensuring you don't get blamed if it doesn't work out.

Instead of being passive aggressive, speak up about your reservations. A tactful approach is to explain, "Here's what I can do, but these are my concerns." Use effective communication skills to show your proactive attitude while encouraging your boss to think about key obstacles or consequences.

2. What Should I Do?

As scary as it seems, taking risks and failing helps you grow as a professional and develop more effective solutions. Most bosses don't expect you to have all the answers and genuinely care about offering guidance when you need it. However, it's your job to use whatever information you have to make productive decisions. Managers have their own responsibilities and don't want to waste their time with constant hand-holding. Think through your options before running for the boss, and be prepared to share possible solutions if you decide to ask for help.

3. That Isn't My Job

Changes and setbacks happen on the job every day, and managers want flexible employees who can adapt without complaining. Going beyond your job duties helps you develop new skills, while whining makes your boss believe you aren't a team player. When the extra work is too much, try updating your boss on your current workload and asking which tasks you should prioritize. Managers don't always know how much you're juggling, and good communication skills are all you need to resolve the issue.

4. I Don't Have Time

Refusing to do a task because of time constraints sounds like a cop-out to most bosses. At work, you're on the clock and paid to solve problems for your employer. Sometimes, that means staying later to deliver great service to a client or putting in extra time to meet a project deadline. Saying "no" without a good reason is a sign of a poor work ethic, so consider ways to use your communication skills to build trust with managers. For instance, offer your boss a time frame when you can get to the task, and let him decide whether to assign it to someone else or take another task off your plate.

Good communication skills can mean the difference between moving up the ladder or getting labeled as lazy and uncooperative. Managers don't always understand the intent behind your words, and your honest concerns can come across as being difficult. By developing better communication skills, you can show company leaders you consider multiple perspectives and think about the big picture when making decisions.

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