Stop: Why You Must Never Say This Simple Sentence To Your Boss!

Oh boy, don’t I have a story for you?

First though, I need to address that anxious knot in your stomach.

Are you new to your managerial or leadership role? Do you wake up wondering, “Am I doing this right?” “Will I mess up?” or maybe even, “How in the world did I get here?”

Don’t worry, we’ve all been there.

Back to my story. You might find it amusing or perhaps alarming, but either way, consider it a lesson learnt.

It was a sunny Tuesday morning when I chirped this simple sentence to my boss: “It’s not my job”.

On the surface, it seems harmless, right?

Wrong.

With that whimsical sentence, I’d unknowingly painted myself as an uncooperative, non-team player.

Don’t Damage Your Street Cred

Now, before we dive headlong into the WHY, let’s do my personal reality check.

A former boss of mine at the BBC in the UK suggested that saying “It’s not my job” could damage professional relationships and create an impression of a lack of commitment!

Scary, isn’t it?

And when I asked around she was bang on.

As new leaders, we are expected to take on a variety of tasks, in many cases, tasks that were not in our job description.

<stop rolling your eyes>

Regardless of how unfitting or menial the task may seem, remember that great leaders and managers are willing to get their hands dirty.

Yep. And no, this is not micromanaging.

Picture this at my first job as a manager

My boss instructed me to prepare a presentation for a client, even though the task was not part of my “official duties”.

Being a greenhorn, I blurted out the deadly phrase, “But that’s not my job!”.

My boss didn’t berate me, but the look of disappointment on her face stung.

However, don’t beat yourself up if you’ve made this mistake; we have all blundered down this path in our early days of leadership.

Here’s what to do instead

Swap “That’s not my job” with “Let’s find a way.” It’s a way of reframing your whole approach to not only life but your job.

Let’s infuse a bit of provocation: Imagine saying, “That’s not my job” on a sinking ship when asked to bail water… Ha!

Not surprising if you get thrown overboard, right?

Take that energy back to the workplace; envision your role as a flowing river, not a stagnant pond.

Queue the empowering conclusion.

Remember that leadership often means being dynamic, adaptable, and solution-orientated.

So, our motivating action step is simple — banish “That’s not my job!”

Choose instead to say, “Let’s find a way”.

As the legendary Brian Tracy once said, “The best leaders have a high Consideration Factor. They put their people first”. Stepping out of your comfort zone shows dedication.

Roll up those sleeves.

Ultimately, don’t stress about the missteps as a new leader. Just remember, no matter the task, there is always a way.

Mostly.

I’m The Author Of The Imposter Syndrome on Audible.

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