Things That Drive Bosses Nuts

I don't get Fortune magazine and I don't get the Wall Street Journal.  If I did I would spend all my time reading and not doing stupid things like thinking I can build my own house.  Maybe I should subscribe.  But I do like articles by Stanley Bing like this one http://biz.yahoo.com/hftn/070605/052807_100082884.html?.v=2&.pf=career-work

He points out six major things about employees that drive bosses nuts.  Having been on both sides of the barricades I know.  I have long thought that beginning employees should be made bosses for a week so they see just how much grief bosses put up with.  But that ain't going to happen so here are the six things--try to avoid them and you will soon be a boss.  Being a boss can be tough but at least you make more money.

1--Employees don't listen.  Perhaps the boss doesn't explain what he/she wants very well but you as an employee have an obligation to make sure you know what the boss wants.  Nobody wants to look like an idiot but writing down the assignment or saying "You want me to do 1, then 2, then 3..." is not a bad way to go.

2-Employees show up late.  Make it a rule, at least early in your career, to get to work before or not more than 10 minutes later than your boss.  I had a friend, also a boss, who watched his staff walk past his door 20 minutes late every morning.  At least they did for awhile.  He fixed it.

3-Employees leave early.  When we first get jobs it is usually in high school and all we can wait for is to get out of the place.  Now you are pursuing a career, not just a job.  Make staying late an inverse of getting there early, at least until you are a boss or so important they can't fire you. 

4-Employees squabble.  Good bosses don't want to play politics.  Avoid it.  It is really hard to do but avoid it.

5-Employees need to be loved.  Love has nothing to do with it to quote Tina Turner.  Your boss will love you when you get the work done.  Work is not self development, it is work.  He who works the smartest gets the rewards.  If you don't, go somewhere where smarts are appreciated.

6-Employees leave.  That is true.  People tend to look out for number 1 which is ok.  Do hard work and you will be appreciated by your boss.  If you do good work and are not appreciated by your boss, the marketplace will reward you by having headhunters call you because somebody will notice and give them your name.  Or you can network (hate that word) and become known.

The article is about driving bosses nuts.  The takeaway for you, the employee, is to avoid the six things and not drive your boss nuts.  Being indispensable is where you want to be.

Comments

[cahoots14]

i wish people in my team would read this post. seems simple enough...but surprisingly few people get it. :)