Book Summary Preview : 45 Things You Do That Drive Your Boss Crazy

The Big Idea

A lot of people who invest in the stock market often fail to make big returns on their investment Career columnist Anita Bruzzese has covered the workplace from all its angles. She’s been both an employer and an employee, and as a business journalist, has interviewed hundreds of top managers and workplace experts. In the course of her career she’s come to understand that many employees and their bosses are simply not on the same page – as she puts it, many aren’t even in the same book to begin with.

This of course leads to nothing but trouble between both bosses and employees – and is nothing but career suicide for those who can’t play by the rules.

Why You Need This Book

In this simply-written and much needed book, Bruzzese reveals the most common complaints from bosses regarding their employees and what they do wrong. She groups these complaints into sections, discusses them and then offers advice on how those who wittingly (or unwittingly) commit these errors can shape up, fly right and at least be considered for a position come promotion time – or not be fired when times get tough.

The individual traits or practices the author identifies are grouped in logical order, making them and the relationships between them easy to understand.

Bosses Don’t Promote Employees Who Make Them Feel Uncomfortable

1.  Treating the office like it’s your love shack
Getting into relationships at work can be troublesome – partners can distract each other and/or display inappropriate behavior that makes other people very uncomfortable. Also, relationships between officemates that end badly are usually very problematic for everyone.

Office relationships are bound to take place whether they’re permitted or not. If you are bent on having a relationship with someone you work with, behave discreetly; keep away from the usual haunts; remain friendly with others; and no PDA!If one of you supervises the other, things are bound to get even more troublesome – they can lead to charges of sexual harassment.

2.  Punching the soda machine when you’re stressed out and ticked off
Bosses can see uncontrolled emotion as a potential danger to both your coworkers and your boss himself. It can result in written documentation that can lead to a suspension, dismissal or even a lawsuit.

Admit that there is a problem to begin with, and take steps to deal with the stress in ways that don’t involve hurting someone at work – such as keeping a job journal and noting what happened at work; visiting the doctor and getting a check-up; simply walking around when things are heating up; and address personal concerns outside the office.

3.  Goofing off on a business trip
Regardless of wherever you go on business trips (and of however “informal” things get where you go), your workplace follows you. It doesn’t matter that you’ve gone out of the building; you’re still doing it on the company’s pay. You have to watch out for those moments when you might say and/or do something you might really regret later on – especially when tired or drunk.

You can also avoid dressing down (you might meet someone from work on the road); avoid flirting at all costs, whether single or married (all the more reason not to do so!); don’t “go out” too much and spend all your time sightseeing and all that; and watch out for your equipment and data – stay safe and secure.

4.  Earning a reputation as a whiner, drama queen or general pain in the neck
What other people think of you at work really matters. It’s important that you fit right in as a member of the workplace team. And even though your boss might not interact with you on a daily basis, you can bet she’ll be giving credence to what other people say.

Whether you deserve being called so or not, you could simply take control of your life and actually do something about your problems instead of just mouthing off; be honest and don’t exaggerate; become more self-sufficient; suck it up and take care of it yourself; lend a hand to others to forget about your own troubles; or find professional help.

5.  Discussing your personal beliefs at work
You can really get disruptive when talking about your personal beliefs at work – this always triggers strong emotions. Tempers will get raised and people will be distracted from what they’re supposed to be doing. Plus there’s always the possibility of harassment.

To keep your personal beliefs from getting in the way of your success, be realistic (not everyone can or will share your beliefs), be discreet (don’t proclaim them openly), keep it off company time (no personal business at work), and be cool when someone talks to you about it.

6.  Telling dirty jokes and cussing on the job
This sort of behavior is not only rude but also worrisome – it can lead to charges of sexual harassment. In addition, even if it doesn’t go that far, it can polarize your work environment by offending many people.

To avoid problems, always figure someone’s eavesdropping, so always watch what you say; fine people little amounts for every swear word they say; think about why you do it (to impress?, to intimidate?); and consider your future (your boss isn’t likely to have good memories of you if you keep it up).

7. Having questionable personal integrity
Real integrity means that you don’t lie about what you’re doing. You work when you’re supposed to and don’t lie about what you do while on the job. And if your integrity’s questioned, it may prove very hard indeed to clean up your reputation.

Misdemeanors include lying (a way of controlling and manipulating people and situations that can be grounds for mistrust and even dismissal), blame (bosses do NOT appreciate finger pointing), sticky fingers (thievery is punishable by firing and/or criminal charges), not keeping your word, faking an absence (for which other people may have to work doubly hard to cover for you), and hanging around with the wrong people.

 

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