7 Workplace Habits That Drive Your Boss Crazy
7 Workplace Habits That Drive Your Boss Crazy
You might not intentionally annoy your boss, but sometimes we all do things that come off as unprofessional and irritating. Here are seven simple mistakes you might be making at work that could be driving your boss crazy.
You Don’t Know How to Prioritize
Ian Wright, the founder of Merchant Machine, a payment service company, states that nothing is more annoying than an employee who prioritizes unimportant tasks while postponing the most crucial ones. You shouldn’t start responding to emails in the morning before tackling your main tasks for the day. Email exchanges don’t benefit the business.
You Dress to Leave
You might not realize how odd it looks when you walk into your boss’s office wearing your coat, asking if there’s anything else they need. At this point, they can’t say “yes” because your computer is already off, and you’re giving non-verbal cues that you’re ready to go.
You Practice Reverse Delegation
Have you ever sent a project back to your boss with so many questions that it would be easier for them to do it themselves? Every employee should rely on themselves and have enough information at hand to complete a significant portion of the task without needing to consult.
You Say “I’ve Always Done It This Way”
When your boss asks why you completed a task in a certain way, this is the most annoying response you can give. It shows that you’re lazy, not curious, and have no desire to improve your work or the company’s state. Such phrases can negatively impact even the best employees!
You Over-Explain Your Tardiness
First, try not to be late. Second, if you do find yourself running late, don’t launch into a long explanation about how it happened, trying to elicit sympathy from your boss and colleagues. Yes, being late is bad enough, but you really don’t need to draw attention to yourself as soon as you walk in. It just annoys those around you and disrupts their work.
You Pretend to Understand
You don’t want your boss to think you’re foolish, so you say you understand the instructions when, in reality, you’re confused. As the author of the bestseller “Managing Annoying People” points out, your boss wants you to complete the task, and they won’t be pleased with such secrecy or the mistakes it leads to. So why not say “I’m stuck” or “I’m confused” so that time isn’t wasted, but it doesn’t feel like you’re completely useless at the task.
You Leave Without Saying Goodbye
Do you think your boss doesn’t notice when you leave ten minutes before the end of the workday? When your boss sees you touching up your makeup when the work isn’t finished, they get new ideas about your priorities. Hint: your boss doesn’t like them. Let your boss know in advance when you plan to leave early, and always say goodbye.
For further reading, check out this career advice.
