The microcosm of the office – and the groundhog greets you every day. At least that’s how many experience their workplace. This also applies when it comes to communicating with the manager. Most executives have developed their own language over the years and have adopted some empty phrases in their vocabulary, which in turn are used by their bosses. Gradually, a very special ABC of the management levels has developed, which causes some puzzles for the employees. So what are just empty phrases, what does your boss really mean with his empty phrases and when should you take his words seriously instead of smiling about them? The following decoding of the boss’s little ABCs will give you the answers:
- I totally agree with you!
The boss may actually agree with you. Or maybe he just wanted to interrupt you in a polite way to speed up the meeting. That doesn’t mean that he’ll actually back you up in this regard.
- That went suboptimally!
Whatever the boss is talking about with this phrase – he is very dissatisfied with it.
If you are waiting for something and get this answer to your question, it is very likely that your supervisor has not even started the task. He says in encrypted form, so to speak, that he hasn’t had time for it yet and you shouldn’t annoy him.
- Were you up late yesterday?
Such sayings on the part of the superior are often a subliminal allusion. Similar “references” also fall into this category. So try to read between the lines whether your boss tells you that you seem tired, that you are too often late, that you are performing poorly, etc. – such phrases can be a warning, even though they sound like a joke.
- I’ll get back to you as soon as I find time between my appointments!
Sounds like your concern is very important to the boss? He’s probably forgotten about you before he left the office. And it is very likely that he will not come back to you because of it or only after a long time. Your boss said in good English that his other appointments are more important, that he is busy and that you should solve the problem yourself if possible.
- Unfortunately, salary increases are currently not in the budget!
In a salary negotiation, this is often an excuse because the manager sees no reason to increase your salary.
- We want to increase the performance in the coming weeks!
A lot of overtime is waiting for you in the next few weeks.
- We’ll come back to your suggestion!
The boss interrupted you in the meeting with this sentence? He presumably found your idea irrelevant and won’t come back to it.
- This task has top priority!
Are you being given a project with these words? Then you will certainly feel flattered, fully immerse yourself and perform at your best. After a record time you deliver the result – and there is no reaction. For some managers this is actually just an empty phrase that they use all the time.
Conclusion
So what you need to “properly” understand the boss is a little patience to get to know him and the talent to read between the lines. You will then quickly find out what just empty phrases are and what he really means. If his behavior causes you displeasure, it is best to seek a one-on-one conversation. Often his comments or his silence are not meant to be angry at all, but rather he is simply under pressure himself. After all, your supervisor works in a “sandwich position” that is not easy. It is therefore important to take your perspective and not put each of your words on the gold scales. However, if it seems important to you, stand up for yourself and communicate with confidence. This way, misunderstandings can be avoided and you no longer feel left out.
