Certain things you do endear you to your boss. And then there are those
that frustrate your supervisor and may even jeopardize your future.
Unfortunately,
your manager may not always tell you that your behavior is driving him
up the wall. Here are some of the top offenses that could land you in
the corporate hall of shame:
1. Impersonating an ostrich. You
may know problems are cropping up -- a client is becoming increasingly
irate, a project has gone awry or there are systemic issues that need
everyone's attention.
Don't keep your manager in the dark. Bosses
don't like to have to confront problems either, but they also don't
want them to be neglected until it's too late.
Speak up when
there's a problem that's too big to ignore. You may not relish the role
of messenger, but your manager will appreciate that you had the guts to
raise a flag, rather than stick your head in the sand while there was
still time to rectify the situation.
2. Being high maintenance.
This quality may seem like a requirement in the celebrity world, but
it's rarely on any other manager's list of desirable qualities in an
employee. Bosses appreciate professionals who take ownership of their
tasks and can work without constantly needing guidance or positive
reinforcement.
Though you should ask for help when you're truly
unsure about how to proceed with a project, be careful not to monopolize
your manager's time and attention. Focus instead on improving your
listening skills and acting on the feedback you receive so you can learn
to work more independently.
3. Thinking the office is your stage.
Some people think the office is their outlet for drama. Managers don't
agree. Few things become more tiresome to bosses and colleagues than
working alongside people who make mountains out of molehills and manufacture conflict.
Leave
the drama to your community-theater pursuits. Your manager will
appreciate you much more if you simply carry out your projects in an
unfailingly professional way, rather than complaining at every twist and
turn.
4. Talking a good game. A good way to exasperate
your manager is to continually promise big things -- "Sure, I'll have
that project completed by Friday," -- and fail to deliver. This behavior
can become such a pattern that bosses end up feeling uneasy counting on
an employee to do what is promised and disappointed in themselves for
allowing the predictable cycle to repeat itself.
If you suspect
you're guilty of chronically overpromising and underdelivering, have an
honest discussion with your manager about the problem. Maybe one or both
of you can shed some light on why it keeps happening. Try to work
together to figure out how to escape the pattern. For instance, setting
incremental goals may help you rein in the tendency to make grand, but
unrealistic, promises.
5. Deflecting criticism. Almost
everyone drops the ball at one point or another. But rather than making
excuses or being overly sensitive to constructive criticism, own up to
mistakes and let your manager know how you plan to avoid similar
problems in the future. Your boss will appreciate your willingness to
confront less-than-ideal outcomes and will come to see you as someone
who can be trusted to respond appropriately, no matter what the
situation.
Even the most accomplished professionals occasionally
engage in behaviors that are annoying to the boss. Take a look inside to
see if you're guilty of any of these offenses. After all, someone who
gets the job done is always valued, but someone who gets it done without
causing the boss any concern, stress or frustration is the ultimate
team player.