Maintaining professionalism, respect, and boundaries in the workplace is for effective leadership.
Here are several things leaders should avoid telling their employees…
- Personal Criticisms – Comments about an employee’s personal life, appearance, or characteristics that are not related to job performance can be inappropriate and harmful.
- Comparisons with Other Employees – Avoid making direct comparisons between employees (“Why can’t you be more like…?”). This can breed resentment and damage team dynamics.
- Discriminatory Remarks – Any statements that could be perceived as discriminatory based on race, gender, sexuality, religion, age, disability, or any other protected characteristic are not only inappropriate but also illegal.
- Unrealistic Promises – Making promises about promotions, raises, or future opportunities without the certainty or authority to fulfill them can undermine trust and credibility.
- Confidential Information – Sharing confidential information about the company, other employees, or clients breaches trust and professional ethics.
- Excessive Personal Details – Over-sharing about your own personal life, problems, or opinions can blur the professional boundary between leaders and their teams.
- Dismissive Feedback – Saying “It’s just a job” or “You should just be happy to have a job” in response to employee concerns dismisses their feelings and can demotivate.
- Threats or Intimidation – Statements that threaten job security or imply punitive measures in a way that’s meant to intimidate rather than constructively address issues are destructive to morale and trust.
- Blatant Lies – Dishonesty, whether about company performance, future prospects, or feedback about work, can irreparably damage the trust between a leader and their team.
- Inappropriate Jokes – Humor that might be offensive or is at the expense of any employee is inappropriate and can create a hostile work environment.
Leaders should strive to communicate openly, honestly, and respectfully, providing constructive feedback, support, and guidance to foster a positive and productive work environment.
