7 Things Never to Say to Your Boss

Karen Burns

Everyone has a boss. Even if you "work for yourself," you're still an employee to your client.
A big part of maintaining the boss-employee relationship is to never allow a boss to think you dislike your work, are incapable of doing it, or--worse--consider it beneath you.

These sound like no-brainers, but many statements heard commonly around the workplace violate these basic rules. Looking for an example? Here are seven heard in workplaces all the time. They may seem ordinary, even harmless. But try reading these from your boss's point of view. You'll see right away why it's smart to never allow these seven sentences to pass your lips:
"That's not my job." You know what? A lot of bosses are simple souls who think your job is to do what's asked of you. So even if you're assigned a task that is, indeed, not your job, refrain from saying so. Instead, try to find out why your boss is assigning you this task--there may be a valid reason. If you believe that doing the task is a bad idea (as in, bad for the company) you can try explaining why and suggesting how it could be better done by someone else. This may work, depending on the boss. In any case, remember that doing what's asked of you, even tasks outside your job description, is good karma.
"It's not my problem." When people say something is not their problem it makes them look like they don't care. This does not endear them to anybody, especially the boss. If a problem is brewing and you have nothing constructive to say, it's better to say nothing at all. Even better is to pitch in and try to help. Because, ultimately, a problem in the workplace is everyone's problem. We're all in it together.
"It's not my fault." Yet another four words to be avoided. Human nature is weird. Claiming that something is not our fault often has the result of making people suspect it is. Besides, what's the real issue here? It's that something went wrong and needs to be fixed. That's what people should be thinking about--not who is to blame.
"I can only do one thing at a time." News flash: Complaining you are overworked will not make your boss feel sorry for you or go easier on you. Instead, a boss will think: (1) you resent your job, and/or (2) you aren't up to your job. Everybody, especially nowadays, feels pressured and overworked. If you're trying to be funny, please note that some sarcasm is funny and lightens the mood. Some just ticks people off.
"I am way overqualified for this job." Hey, maybe you are. But the fact is, this is the job you have. You agreed to take it on and, while you may now regret that decision, it's still your job. Complaining that it's beneath you only makes you look bad. Plus, coworkers doing similar jobs may resent and dislike you. And guess what? Bosses will not think, "Oh, this is a superior person whom I need to promote." Nope, they'll think, "What a jerk."
"This job is easy! Anyone could do it!" Maybe what you're trying to convey here is that you're so brilliant your work is easy. Unfortunately, it comes off sounding more like, "This work is stupid." Bosses don't like hearing that any work is stupid. Nor do they really like hearing that a job is easy peasy. It belittles the whole enterprise. If a task is simple, be glad and do it as quickly as you can. Even "stupid" work needs to get done.
"It can't be done." Saying something can't be done is like waving a red flag in a boss's eyes. Even if the thing being suggested truly is impossible, saying it is can make you look ineffectual or incapable. Better to play detective. Why is the boss asking you to do whatever it is? What's the problem that needs to be solved? What's the goal? Search for doable ways of solving that problem or reaching that goal. That's what bosses really want. Most of them do not expect the impossible.
Last words: When in doubt, remember that silence really is golden.

Konsert Malam Untukmu Rasulullah

Salam...

Jom pi konsert...

Sambutan Maulidur Rasul Anjuran Yayasan Sofa

12 Rabi'ul Awwal - Perginya Kekasih Allah

Salam...

Kita seringkali dimaklumkan bahawa 12 Rabi'ul Awwal adalah tarikh kelahiran baginda Rasul s.a.w. Namun tidak ramai yang mengetahui bahawa pada tarikh yang sama juga, baginda Rasul, Nabi Muhammad s.a.w. telah pergi menemui Kekasihnya Allah Rabbul Jalil yang amat dirindui.

Sempena kedatangan 12 Rabi'ul Awwal ini, ikutilah selingkar kesah detik-detik baginda Rasul s.a.w. menghadapi sakaratul maut sebelum pergi meninggalkan umat yang dikasihinya buat selama-lama.



Ada sebuah kisah tentang cinta yang sebenar-benar cinta yang dicontohkan Allah melalui kehidupan Rasul-Nya. Pagi itu, walaupun langit telah mulai menguning, burung-burung gurun enggan mengepakkan sayap. Pagi itu, Rasulullah dengan suara terbatas memberikan khutbah, "Wahai umatku, kita semua ada dalam kekuasaan Allah dan cinta kasih-Nya. Maka taati dan bertakwalah kepada-Nya. Kuwariskan dua perkara pada kalian, Al Qur'an dan sunnahku. Barang siapa mencintai sunnahku, bererti mencintai aku dan kelak orang-orang yang mencintaiku, akan masuk syurga bersama-sama aku." Khutbah singkat itu diakhiri dengan pandangan mata Rasulullah yang tenang dan penuh minat menatap sahabatnya satu persatu.


Abu Bakar menatap mata itu dengan berkaca-kaca, Umar dadanya naik turun menahan nafas dan tangisnya. Usman menghela nafas panjang dan Ali menundukkan kepalanya dalam-dalam. Isyarat itu telah datang, saatnya sudah tiba.


"Rasulullah akan meninggalkan kita semua,"keluh hati semua sahabat kala itu. Manusia tercinta itu, hampir selesai menunaikan tugasnya didunia. Tanda-tanda itu semakin kuat, tatkala Ali dan Fadhal dengan cergas menangkap Rasulullah yang berkeadaan lemah dan goyah ketika turun dari mimbar. Disaat itu, kalau mampu, seluruh sahabat yang hadir di sana pasti akan menahan detik-detik berlalu. Matahari kian tinggi, tapi pintu rumah Rasulullah masih tertutup. Sedang didalamnya, Rasulullah sedang terbaring lemah dengan keningnya yang berkeringat dan membasahi pelepah kurma yang menjadi alas tidurnya.


Tiba-tiba dari luar pintu terdengar seorang yang berseru mengucapkan salam. "Bolehkah saya masuk?" tanyanya. Tapi Fatimah tidak mengizinkannya masuk, "Maafkanlah, ayahku sedang demam," kata Fatimah yang membalikkan badan dan menutup pintu.


Kemudian ia kembali menemani ayahnya yang ternyata sudah membuka mata dan bertanya pada Fatimah, "Siapakah itu wahai anakku?"


"Tak tahulah ayahku, orang sepertinya baru sekali ini aku melihatnya," tutur Fatimah lembut. Lalu, Rasulullah menatap puterinya itu dengan pandangan yang menggetarkan. Seolah-olah bahagian demi bahagian wajah anaknya itu hendak dikenang. "Ketahuilah, dialah yang menghapuskan kenikmatan sementara, dialah yang memisahkan pertemuan di dunia. Dialah malakul maut," kata Rasulullah, Fatimah pun menahan ledakkan tangisnya. Malaikat maut datang menghampiri, tapi Rasulullah menanyakan kenapa Jibril tidak ikut sama menyertainya. Kemudian dipanggilah Jibril yang sebelumnya sudah bersiap di atas langit dunia menyambut ruh kekasih Allah dan penghulu dunia ini.


"Jibril, jelaskan apa hakku nanti di hadapan Allah?" Tanya Rasululllah dengan suara yang amat lemah. "Pintu-pintu langit telah terbuka, para malaikat telah menanti ruhmu. Semua syurga terbuka lebar menanti kedatanganmu," kata Jibril. Tapi itu ternyata tidak membuatkan Rasulullah lega, matanya masih penuh kecemasan.


"Engkau tidak senang mendengar khabar ini?" Tanya Jibril lagi. "Khabarkan kepadaku bagaimana nasib umatku kelak?" "Jangan khawatir, wahai Rasul Allah, aku pernah mendengar Allah berfirman kepadaku: 'Kuharamkan syurga bagi siapa saja, kecuali umat Muhammad telah berada di dalamnya," kata Jibril.


Detik-detik semakin dekat, saatnya Izrail melakukan tugas. Perlahan ruh Rasulullah ditarik. Nampak seluruh tubuh Rasulullah bersimbah peluh, urat-urat lehernya menegang. "Jibril, betapa sakit sakaratul maut ini." Perlahan Rasulullah mengaduh. Fatimah terpejam, Ali yang di sampingnya menunduk semakin dalam dan Jibril memalingkan muka.


"Jijikkah kau melihatku, hingga kau palingkan wajahmu Jibril?" Tanya Rasulullah pada Malaikat pengantar wahyu itu. "Siapakah yang sanggup, melihat kekasih Allah direnggut ajal," kata Jibril.


Sebentar kemudian terdengar Rasulullah memekik, kerana sakit yang tidak tertahankan lagi. "Ya Allah, dahsyat nian maut ini, timpakan saja semua siksa maut ini kepadaku, jangan pada umatku."Badan Rasulullah mulai dingin, kaki dan dadanya sudah tidak bergerak lagi. Bibirnya bergetar seakan hendak membisikkan sesuatu, Ali segera mendekatkan telinganya.


"Uushiikum bis shalati, wa maa malakat aimanuku, peliharalah shalat dan peliharalah orang-orang lemah di antaramu." Di luar pintu tangis mulai terdengar bersahutan, sahabat saling berpelukan. Fatimah menutupkan tangan di wajahnya, dan Ali kembali mendekatkan telinganya ke bibir Rasulullah yang mulai kebiruan.


"Ummatii, ummatii, ummatiii?" - "Umatku, umatku, umatku" Dan, berakhirlah hidup manusia mulia yang memberi sinaran itu. Kini, mampukah kita mencintai sepertinya? Allahumma sholli 'ala Muhammad wa baarik wa salim 'alaihi. Betapa cintanya Rasulullah kepada kita. Kirimkan kepada sahabat-sahabat muslim lainnya agar timbul kesedaran untuk mencintai Allah dan RasulNya, seperti Allah dan Rasulnya mencintai kita. Kerana sesungguhnya selain daripada itu hanyalah fana belaka.


Ya Allah, timbulkanlah dalam hatiku dan kaum keluargaku rasa amat cinta dan kasih kepada Rasul-Mu Muhammad s.a.w. mengatasi cinta dan kasih selain darinya. Amiin...

Jom Bersama Dato Dr Haron Din