What You Say Says Alot About You.

Noted author and human behavior specialist, Marshall Goldsmith, conducted a survey of 200 employees recently.  The results reveals one resounding truth:  We bash our bosses.

Many of us take jabs at our boss at work when we’re talking to co-workers. We bad-mouth our bosses after work to anyone who will listen.  And we even talk trash about our bosses on weekends when we’re with our most captive audience – our family. Astoundingly, workers spend about fifteen hours a month doing this.

A little bit of boss bashing is understandable. Its how many people vent their frustrations and release stress.  But, the potential therapeutic gains are often outweighed by the negative impacts.

What do you accomplish when you critique a person who isn't even in the room? They can’t respond to what you’re saying.  They can’t explain (or defend) themselves.  Certainly, no corrective action or improvements can be expected.  It’s a completely unproductive exercise.

In fact, the only thing you may succeed in changing is your reputation.  Your colleagues’ opinion of you could be tarnished when they discover you tend to gossip about and slander teammates.  Your remarks may come across as petty or even belittling.  Sound business teachings tell us to be respectful of people when they are absent; don’t talk about them behind their backs. In the book Speed of Trust, Stephen Covey calls it ‘showing loyalty’. 

The reality is this:  Boss bashing doesn't build better bosses. Imagine what you could accomplish if you dedicated fifteen hours to something substantive like going back to school or spending quality time with your spouse.  The next time you start to bash your boss, think about what you may be doing to yourself and those around you. If you have a legitimate issue that needs to be addressed, put on your brave face and talk to your boss about it.  The book, Crucial Conversations, gives some great pointers on this.  If you feel you can’t talk to leadership, consider whether or not you really have (or want) a future at that organization.  You have options; it’s up to you.