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| I am not going to do that! |
Fear of losing a job makes people less than honest in the
workplace. This is especially true when
it comes to providing negative feedback to or following directives from the
boss. Bosses can be difficult at times. Informing them that they are wrong may rub
them the wrong way: especially when it happens repeatedly or in front of
others. The question employees must
examine is whether they are giving their best performance at work when they are
not alerting the boss there may be a better way or of impending mistakes.
Many people are terrified just speaking to the boss. Bosses are people and they make mistakes just
as anyone can. Developing a relationship
with the boss can be more than agreeing with everything that said or requested. Clearly, you must do what the boss requires
as long as it is legal and ethical.
However, there are ways you can approach the boss and provide more value
to the workplace.
Keep in mind that the boss usually wants to do the best possible
for the business. They do not want big
errors that cost time and money for the company. Bosses look for promotions just like the
employees and they the same desires as anyone else. The following are some ideas on being more
than a YES person, when you should be saying something else.
1.
Develop a
relationship: Learning to interact with
the boss without fear requires development of a relationship of some type. It
is not necessary to be best friends, but you do need to be able to speak
frankly, when needed. Learn to recognize
what the boss needs and when needed. Make
an effort to help meet timings and milestones.
Understand the job and determine what it takes to be an excellent
performer. Bosses tend to listen to
those that are their best performers.
2.
Improve on
ideas: Knowing the business enhances
your chances of seeing ways to make improvements. Bosses like ideas that make things better,
cheaper, or bring more harmony to the work environment. Such ideas tend to be better accepted. When the boss provides something less than a
perfect plan, you may see ways to make the plan better. Improving on the boss’s idea may be a way to
improve on your easiness of speaking frankly.
Yes, the boss likely will get the credit, but who gets credit should not
be your goal.
3.
Do it in
private: It is generally better to
approach someone in private to discuss a way to enhance or improve a situation
at work. No one likes being corrected in
public, especially the boss. Offering
the suggested changes in private may allow you to expand and explain the
situation and make it clear. In fact,
make an appointment or determine ask how much time the boss has before
starting. You want to make your point
but not in a rushed manner. You want the
boss to listen and focus on what you are saying with as few interruptions as
possible.
4.
Do it
politely: The boss is the
boss. Being argumentative or ugly rarely
works and just causes people to tune out.
Show respect for the person in charge and demonstrate that you offer the
suggestions to improve on the business or prevent a serious issue down the
road. Present your case carefully and in
a well thought out manner. Limit the
number of visits to those that you believe are most important to alter a path
or decision. Constant nagging tends to
be a turnoff!
5.
In the
end, do what the boss says: You have
offered all the arguments and suggested changes. You have done so in a professional
manner. You may not understand the rationale,
but you do need to do what the boss finally decides. This helps the person understand that they can
count on you in different situations. In
time, it may help the boss become more attentive to what you offer.
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