Phrases Not to Tell Your Employees
As a business leader, you have to be careful with what you tell your employees. They look up to you. They also treat you with respect. Your choice of words can have positive or negative impact to them. These are some of the phrases you should never say.
Do what I tell you
This phrase shows that you’re very bossy. You want people to follow what you want. Instead of telling them what to do, allow your employees to have a voice in the process. Let them express their suggestions about the project. Discuss the best way to move forward. Remember that you’re not the only smart person in the room. Your employees might also have ideas that deserve to be heard. You can’t lose that opportunity by not giving them the chance to speak up.
I’m disappointed in you
It’s natural for employees to commit mistakes. As a business leader, you also commit mistakes. However, it’s not an excuse to tell your employees that you feel frustrated. Even before you say these words, they already felt terrible about their actions. Instead of dwelling on the problem, focus on how you can move forward. Suggest ways to improve. Be the type of leader who likes to solve problems that to blame people for their shortcomings.
There is no “I” in team
If you still use this phrase, you don’t even deserve to be a leader. You can’t give a motivational speech with that kind of statement. While you want to motivate your employees to be team players, there are other ways to convince them. You can concentrate on asking for cooperation without discounting the individual contributions of the team members.
You’re lucky to still have a job
Always remember that your employees don’t owe anything to you. They get compensated for their work. They might even do more than what they are paid for. If you tell them that they’re lucky to have a job, you’re not a good boss. It also shows how you belittle their ability to find another job. These are highly-skilled individuals, and they can always find a new job. When you lose your assets, your business will start to fall apart.
I always work over time
There’s nothing in encouraging your employees to work hard. However, you should also encourage them to take a break. Avoid creating a culture of working overtime. If you want to do it, it’s your choice. If you wish to stay after office hours or during the weekends, no one is stopping you. Don’t expect others to follow your lead. Some people are better at time management. They can do their job without going beyond the office hours. If anything, it shows how terrible you are in getting things done.
Always be careful with your words. You might not notice what you say, but they can make others feel terrible. Open the lines of communication and allow your employees to express frustration to you. They must not walk on egg shells around you.
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1st and featured image fromhttps://i.insider.com/5cb8d51cd1a2f821731a1626?width=700
2nd image from https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/366715
