The boss’s New Year’s resolution: Give up these 6 expressions
These phrases may weaken and weaken the motivation of your employees.
Boss will be severely criticized by subordinates-and often for good reason. With the flattening of the organization, some bosses still adopt a "top-down" attitude, which weakens the self-worth of employees. In fact, research shows that high-achieving employees are most likely to be offended by controlling bosses with poor leadership. This behavior hurts an organization, and it hurts its best people.
There is an easy way to control any of these tendencies: restructure your language to reflect a less authoritarian tone. If you are the boss, please make a New Year’s plan to avoid the following six expressions:
1. "I need you..."
This is a common term for boss land, and it has its advantages. Using this expression, the manager has no reason to explain why it is important to finish before a certain deadline or be in the office on a certain date. Instead, the boss just asserted, "You must meet my needs."
Enlightened bosses will not ask employees to do things for them. They explain their requirements and motivate their employees with a shared focus on project success or goal achievement. No employee should follow instructions just to meet your needs.
If someone works on a mixed schedule, avoid saying: "I need you to be here on Tuesday and Thursday." Instead, "If you can be here on Tuesday and Thursday, that would be great, because we You can get the whole team together in those days."
2. "I asked you..."
This is another raster expression. Language is punitive: it implies that the employee has failed, such as "I asked you to get the quarterly numbers for me, but we are now mid-week and you didn't provide it."
Instead, it’s better to say to your employees: “We need to provide quarterly data to shareholders. I believe we discussed it at the last meeting. Can you give those to me this week?” Such a tone is more collaborative and ultimately Better results will be obtained.
3. "Passed..."
This is not a request, but an order, implying a blunt, top-down attitude.
Sometimes you may be in a hurry, but this is by no means an excuse for rashness. Get in the habit of explaining any request, including the most urgent requests. If the spreadsheet must be completed by 5 pm, please explain why this is so important. Discuss who will wait for it and which decisions depend on the data. If you order someone, you will lose their loyalty and the job will be done reluctantly.
A better way to deal with specific deadlines is to say, “Senior management wants to see this report by Friday. How can it be done by then?” Asking instead of telling, and using collaborative language to make all the difference.
4. "It may be so, but..."
This is another type of unintentional disparagement that bosses sometimes use. "It may be like this" is a rough acknowledgment that a subordinate may have said something true or valid. But it took all this away from them, telling the employees the boss’s opinion is the only important thing.
A better way is to say, "I understand what you mean" or "This is true." Then use "and" instead of "but". The word "and" is cooperative; the word "but" is divisive. The revised wording may sound like this: "I understand what you mean, and I will suggest further..." In this language, the boss speaks like a colleague, not an opponent.
5. "I don't care..."
This expression showed no sympathy or understanding. It is simply a boss pulling people. When subordinates encounter difficulties in completing tasks or winning customers, they sometimes use this harsh language-and she is explaining what went wrong. She already feels vulnerable; don't let her down.
A better way to deal with this situation is to listen and provide guidance on how to deal with the challenge. Suggestions, not condemnations, make it possible for employees to do better next time. A good boss is constructive, not punitive. Show that you really care.
6. "No..."
This seemingly harmless two-letter word is the preferred expression of many authorities. Who hasn't heard of this from their boss? However, you will use this term under any circumstances, and it carries a lot of baggage-including feelings of disappointment and dismissal. For example, "No, that won't work", or "No, I don't have time", or "No, I don't agree." This is a futile word that will only lower the spirit of the person who hears it.
So, avoid this word. Never say "no". Even "maybe" is better, such as "maybe it will work" or "maybe we can try." Even better: "Let's give it a try."
Words are very important. Being aware of the phrases you use will make you a better, more enlightened and supportive boss in 2022 and beyond.
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