Career Suicide! 10 Things You Should NEVER Say to Your Boss
Shreya | Feb 09, 2025, 17:54 IST
In this article, we explore the things you should avoid saying to your boss in order to maintain a professional image and positive working relationship. From complaints about pay to outright dismissals of ideas, learn which phrases can harm your career and how to communicate more effectively with your boss.
Maintaining a professional relationship with your boss is critical to your career growth and success. The way you communicate can influence your professional reputation, work environment, and even your chances of advancement. While honesty is important, certain comments, phrases, or attitudes can seriously damage your relationship with your boss. To help you navigate the workplace with care, here’s a list of things you should never say to your boss, no matter the situation.
It’s normal to have a job description, but sometimes, your boss may ask you to take on tasks outside of your typical responsibilities. While it may be tempting to push back, saying “That’s not my job” can make you appear inflexible, uncooperative, and unwilling to contribute to the team’s success. It’s best to show a willingness to help where possible, even if it’s not strictly in your job description.
Everyone feels overworked at times, and it's understandable to feel that your compensation doesn’t align with the amount of work you’re putting in. However, voicing dissatisfaction in this manner can come across as unprofessional and ungrateful. If you're concerned about your pay, it’s better to approach the topic with a clear understanding of your accomplishments, market rates, and how you contribute to the company.
While it’s okay not to know everything, repeatedly saying “I don’t know” can create an impression of incompetence or a lack of initiative. Instead of immediately admitting you don’t know something, consider researching it or offering to find the answer. If you must admit ignorance, do so in a way that conveys your willingness to learn and take the necessary steps to resolve the issue.
Disagreements at work are natural but expressing them in a blunt or dismissive way can damage your rapport with your boss. Rather than simply stating, “I don’t agree with this,” frame your disagreement with constructive feedback or alternative solutions. Instead of focusing on the problem, focus on offering a different perspective in a respectful and solution-oriented manner.
This phrase is often used to justify procrastination or poor timing. When you say this to your boss, it can sound like an excuse or a lack of accountability. If you were indeed about to take action, it’s better to show proactive communication and let your boss know ahead of time what you’re working on. This way, it shows you’re on top of things without sounding defensive.
When things go wrong at work, it’s natural to want to deflect blame. However, pointing fingers and saying, “It’s not my fault” can make you seem immature or unwilling to take responsibility. Instead, acknowledge the situation, take responsibility for your part in it, and focus on finding a solution. Bosses respect employees who own up to their mistakes and demonstrate problem-solving skills.
Criticizing your boss’s ideas or suggestions with harsh language can be damaging to your professional image. Even if you disagree with something, it’s important to express your opinion respectfully. Try saying, “I see where you’re coming from, but I have a different perspective,” or offer constructive feedback to show that you’re engaged and thoughtful in your response.
Every employee gets busy but saying “I’m too busy for this” can suggest poor time management or a lack of flexibility. Your boss may rely on you for certain tasks and expressing that you’re too busy can make you appear overwhelmed or unwilling to prioritize. Instead, communicate which tasks you can prioritize or offer to work with your boss to delegate or manage expectations.
Procrastination is a natural tendency, but continually putting off important tasks can lead to missed deadlines and frustration. When your boss asks you to do something, it’s better to offer a clear timeframe for completion rather than a vague promise of “later.” If you truly cannot complete the task immediately, communicate a realistic timeline and commit to it.
While it’s true that most people work to earn a living, expressing a lack of interest or passion for your role is a major red flag. This phrase signals that you’re not committed to the team or company’s success and that you lack enthusiasm for the work you do. It’s important to show that you’re invested in your work and your professional development, even if the job is not your dream role.
Lastly, remember that your relationship with your boss plays a significant role in your career advancement and overall job satisfaction. Choosing your words carefully can help you maintain a positive, professional image and foster good communication. While it’s important to be honest, you should always aim to be respectful, solution-oriented, and collaborative. Avoiding these negative or dismissive phrases will help you build a stronger rapport with your boss and contribute to a healthier work environment.
That's not my job.
A Frustrated Person
It’s normal to have a job description, but sometimes, your boss may ask you to take on tasks outside of your typical responsibilities. While it may be tempting to push back, saying “That’s not my job” can make you appear inflexible, uncooperative, and unwilling to contribute to the team’s success. It’s best to show a willingness to help where possible, even if it’s not strictly in your job description.
I don’t get paid enough for this.
A Person Counting the Money
Everyone feels overworked at times, and it's understandable to feel that your compensation doesn’t align with the amount of work you’re putting in. However, voicing dissatisfaction in this manner can come across as unprofessional and ungrateful. If you're concerned about your pay, it’s better to approach the topic with a clear understanding of your accomplishments, market rates, and how you contribute to the company.
I don’t know.
A Confused Person
While it’s okay not to know everything, repeatedly saying “I don’t know” can create an impression of incompetence or a lack of initiative. Instead of immediately admitting you don’t know something, consider researching it or offering to find the answer. If you must admit ignorance, do so in a way that conveys your willingness to learn and take the necessary steps to resolve the issue.
I don’t agree with this.
Two People Discussing Something
Disagreements at work are natural but expressing them in a blunt or dismissive way can damage your rapport with your boss. Rather than simply stating, “I don’t agree with this,” frame your disagreement with constructive feedback or alternative solutions. Instead of focusing on the problem, focus on offering a different perspective in a respectful and solution-oriented manner.
I was just about to do that.
Two People in an Office
This phrase is often used to justify procrastination or poor timing. When you say this to your boss, it can sound like an excuse or a lack of accountability. If you were indeed about to take action, it’s better to show proactive communication and let your boss know ahead of time what you’re working on. This way, it shows you’re on top of things without sounding defensive.
It’s not my fault.
A Person Explaining Something
When things go wrong at work, it’s natural to want to deflect blame. However, pointing fingers and saying, “It’s not my fault” can make you seem immature or unwilling to take responsibility. Instead, acknowledge the situation, take responsibility for your part in it, and focus on finding a solution. Bosses respect employees who own up to their mistakes and demonstrate problem-solving skills.
That’s a bad idea.
A Team Discussion
Criticizing your boss’s ideas or suggestions with harsh language can be damaging to your professional image. Even if you disagree with something, it’s important to express your opinion respectfully. Try saying, “I see where you’re coming from, but I have a different perspective,” or offer constructive feedback to show that you’re engaged and thoughtful in your response.
I’m too busy for this.
A Busy Person
Every employee gets busy but saying “I’m too busy for this” can suggest poor time management or a lack of flexibility. Your boss may rely on you for certain tasks and expressing that you’re too busy can make you appear overwhelmed or unwilling to prioritize. Instead, communicate which tasks you can prioritize or offer to work with your boss to delegate or manage expectations.
I’ll do it later.
People Working in Office
Procrastination is a natural tendency, but continually putting off important tasks can lead to missed deadlines and frustration. When your boss asks you to do something, it’s better to offer a clear timeframe for completion rather than a vague promise of “later.” If you truly cannot complete the task immediately, communicate a realistic timeline and commit to it.
I’m just here for the paycheck.
An Employee with Money
While it’s true that most people work to earn a living, expressing a lack of interest or passion for your role is a major red flag. This phrase signals that you’re not committed to the team or company’s success and that you lack enthusiasm for the work you do. It’s important to show that you’re invested in your work and your professional development, even if the job is not your dream role.
Lastly, remember that your relationship with your boss plays a significant role in your career advancement and overall job satisfaction. Choosing your words carefully can help you maintain a positive, professional image and foster good communication. While it’s important to be honest, you should always aim to be respectful, solution-oriented, and collaborative. Avoiding these negative or dismissive phrases will help you build a stronger rapport with your boss and contribute to a healthier work environment.