You can be on Entrepreneur’s cover!

Don't Be That Boss: Sayings You Should Never Let Slip A workplace's success all comes down to communication, so be sure to avoid saying these things to your employees.

By Nina Zipkin

entrepreneur daily

When you're running a company, it goes without saying that not every day can be smooth sailing. When things go wrong or you're faced with conflict, strong communication can help iron out differences, but the last thing you want to do is say any of these phrases to your colleagues in a heated moment:

I'm the boss, do as I say. Your position in the company will make most employees treat you differently as a matter of course, but remember that respect is earned.

You're lucky to have a job! If an employee isn't doing the job you want, sit down with them and address the issue. If they can improve, that's great, if not, the best course of action is to let them go.

Related: Is Your Voice a Business Asset or a Liability?

If you don't like it, I'll find someone who does. No one can be productive with a constant threat hanging over their heads.

Why are you the only one who has a problem with this? Everyone has bad days and no one will agree 100 percent of the time. An occasional disagreement does not mean that an employee is not doing their best work, and a remark like this can only create a greater divide.

Check out the video above for three things you should never say to employees.

Related: Correcting Leadership Communication Mishaps

Nina Zipkin

Entrepreneur Staff

Staff Writer. Covers leadership, media, technology and culture.

Nina Zipkin is a staff writer at Entrepreneur.com. She frequently covers leadership, media, tech, startups, culture and workplace trends.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Editor's Pick

Business News

James Clear Explains Why the 'Two Minute Rule' Is the Key to Long-Term Habit Building

The hardest step is usually the first one, he says. So make it short.

Side Hustle

He Took His Side Hustle Full-Time After Being Laid Off From Meta in 2023 — Now He Earns About $200,000 a Year: 'Sweet, Sweet Irony'

When Scott Goodfriend moved from Los Angeles to New York City, he became "obsessed" with the city's culinary offerings — and saw a business opportunity.

Business News

Microsoft's New AI Can Make Photographs Sing and Talk — and It Already Has the Mona Lisa Lip-Syncing

The VASA-1 AI model was not trained on the Mona Lisa but could animate it anyway.

Living

Get Your Business a One-Year Sam's Club Membership for Just $14

Shop for office essentials, lunch for the team, appliances, electronics, and more.

Leadership

You Won't Have a Strong Leadership Presence Until You Master These 5 Attributes

If you are a poor leader internally, you will be a poor leader externally.