On March 17, U.S. News & World Report published an article by workplace consultant Karen Burns outlining taboos in professional communication. She notes that everyone has a boss—yourself, when you work for yourself—and customers who act as your boss.The key to maintaining the boss-employee relationship is to never let your boss feel that you dislike your job, that you can't handle the work assigned to you, or that you look down on your job—that would be disastrous.
Burns points out that these principles sound straightforward, yet common workplace phrases often violate these golden rules. He lists seven frequently heard workplace statements—check if you've ever said any of these. While seemingly innocuous, these phrases become problematic when viewed from a boss's perspective.
First, "That's not my job." You know what? Many bosses think simply: they believe your job is to do what they say. Even if the task assigned isn't strictly within your responsibilities, you shouldn't say that. Instead, understand why your boss is asking you to do it. If it could harm the company, explain why assigning it to someone else might be better. This approach might work, depending on your boss.Regardless, always remember: do what your boss asks, even if it's extra work—your luck is about to change.
Second, "That's not my problem." When someone claims an issue isn't their responsibility, they're signaling it's none of their concern. No one appreciates this attitude, especially bosses. If you have no constructive input, stay silent. The best approach is to work diligently and cover for others.Workplace problems are unavoidable for everyone; we're all in this together. Third, "It's not my fault." Never say this. Human nature is strange. Claiming something isn't your fault often makes people think it is. Where's the real problem? Work issues need solving—that's what people should focus on. Don't waste time assigning blame.Telling your boss you're overloaded won't earn sympathy or special treatment. Instead, they'll assume you either hate your job or are incompetent. Everyone faces pressure and overwork today. If you want to inject humor, note that some jokes lighten the mood. But be aware—some people won't appreciate it and might react angrily.
Fifth, "I'm more than capable of handling this task." True, perhaps. But it is your job. You accepted this role, and if you back out now, it remains your responsibility. Disregarding it will leave a terrible impression.Plus, colleagues doing similar work will resent you and dislike you. What's the outcome? Your boss won't think, "Ah, this is a top-notch employee—promote him." Instead, they'll say, "What an idiot."You might say this to show off your talent, implying the job is a piece of cake for you. But what you actually convey is that "this job is boring." Bosses hate it when people call their work boring or too simple. It devalues the company. If the job is simple, do it cheerfully and efficiently. Even "boring" tasks need to be done.
Seventh, "I can't do it." Saying you can't handle something is like waving a red flag in front of your boss—it's asking for trouble. Even if the task genuinely seems impossible, such talk makes you appear incompetent. Why did your boss assign you this task? What problem does it aim to solve? What's the objective? Think of feasible ways to tackle the issue or meet the requirements. That's what your boss expects. Most bosses don't want to hear you say you can't do something.