For those looking to move up the career ladder, it is important to gain the respect and the trust of their managers. But could you be secretly driving your manager up the wall without even knowing it?
Tim Hird, managing director of Robert Half Singapore shares with us eight negative actions that bosses generally dislike in employees.
1. Turning down new assignments If your supervisor comes to you one day with a new task, do not decline it. It would be unwise to build a reputation as someone your boss can’t count on. Furthermore, it is good practice to accommodate to your boss’ wishes as long as you can afford time for that extra work. Saying “no” can convince your manager to stop offering you opportunities, which may include the ones you might be interested in.
2. Being “high-maintenance” Do you constantly need attention from your boss to remain productive or to ensure that you’re on the right track? This behaviour may just prevent your manager from attending to important tasks or getting into a good workflow. And this is a sure-fire way to annoy anyone in the workplace.
3. Communicating poorly Your boss’ instructions can be vague but it is critical for you to understand his communication style and preferences and adjust accordingly. Also consider the amount of information he would like. Ensuring you remain on the same page with him is important to a good collaboration.
4. Asking too many questions Always pay attention to your boss when he is speaking and try to seek clarification on the get-go. Repeatedly asking him the same question can drive him insane. However if you must follow-up with your manager, be sure to approach him with a specific list of questions and take notes so you don’t need to bother him again.
5. Failing to follow through Pay attention to details – even the finest ones. Think ahead when you tackle about the types of concerns your boss might have when tackling a project. This would build your manager’s confidence in you.
6. Refusing to admit your mistakes Step up to the plate if you’ve made a mistake. Creating an excuse to justify poor work performance is not only dishonest but also unprofessional. Additionally, your ploy might not stand the test of time. So face your mistake and then go further by devising a plan to both correct and avoid similar incidents in future.
7. Waving the red flag after the ship has sunk If you find yourself in a situation where you are unable to meet a deadline, let your manager know about it at an earlier timing. Do not break the news to him at the last minute. This could infuriate him.
8. Fueling the rumour mill Most importantly, do not spread gossip or complaints around the workplace. Bosses seek employees with a positive outlook and want workers who are able to influence the attitudes of other beacuse enthusiasm is contagious!
Overall, Hird says that “cultivating good emotional intelligence and adopting a positive attitude are crucial to workplace survival”.
Credits:
extracted from Human Resource magazine Oct 09 pg. 4
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