5 ms·

“Can we talk?” The most dreaded phrase a boss can utter

• kikoreis 8y ago
  Ironically, that's also the most dreaded phrase an employee can utter to an employer.
  • mcv 8y ago
    Communication is so important yet everybody seems afraid of it. Maybe people should talk more about good things. It's not good if "can we talk?" generally means bad news.
• mturmon 8y ago
  Manager for several years here. A few months ago, a direct report of mine got a promotion. I casually asked him to stop by my office. I had forgotten that there was some turbulence elsewhere in the organization, and it turned out that he thought he was being laid off. I usually remember to say "it's good news" before this kind of spontaneous "drop by" request, but I forgot that time. Argh, send me back to manager camp.
• cbanek 8y ago
  Once, in an open office / bullpen space, someone was getting fired. I guess they thought it was going to be bad, so most of the managers were notified up front. Our lead said "let's go get some ice cream." I replied: "no I'm good." Lead: "No you really want some ice cream. Come on." We later watched from a bridge in the atrium as said fired person was carrying their box through, and we all understood what happened. Now that phrase carries fear every time I hear it, no matter how ridiculous it seems. Talk about past management fears imprinted on you for years to come.