If you want to take your career to the next level, you'll need to have not only the right skills, but also the right reputation. To build it -- and then protect it -- you should be as deliberate about what you say at work as you are about what you do there.
"It's normal to want to chat about things other than work projects with the people you share space with for 40 hours a week. But there are some things that are always better left unsaid," explains Monster contributor Elana Lyn Gross, who says there can be "severe repercussions" for saying the wrong thing in the presence of colleagues -- even those with whom you're friends. "At best, you may ruffle some feathers. At worst, you may be fired."
So what, exactly, should you say? A better question is: What should you avoid saying?
One thing you should steer clear of, for starters, is gossip about your boss. "You may think that you are just airing your grievances with another coworker who shares your frustration about how the boss handles things, but you could be unpleasantly surprised to learn that this coworker is friendly with the boss and will happily tell everything that you shared," Cheryl Palmer, founder of career coaching firm Call to Career, tells Gross, who says, "You may not have even started the gossip, but by taking part in it you might tarnish your reputation. So, steer clear of it."
Just as important to avoid is complaining. "Chronic complainers could be seen negatively in a few ways: First, as unproductive because it's hard to produce quality work and have time to complain constantly," Gross says. "Next, untrustworthy because if you talk negatively about one coworker you'll probably talk negatively about other people, too. Also, bad at adapting to change, if you constantly complain about changing processes at work. Finally, incapable of taking responsibility, because you often find fault in others, but may not look critically at your own behavior."
Oh, and always avoid politics, too. "No matter how woke your co-workers appear," Gross concludes, "you should never assume that someone shares the same viewpoints as you."
More Tips:
https://www.monster.com/career-advice/article/what-you-should-never-say-at-work-0518
Questions, Comments, Suggestions?
Contact Successful Meetings Editor in Chief Vincent Alonzo with your "How To" ideas.