Whether your next performance review goes swimmingly or becomes a half hour of frustration, here are six phrases that will likely paint a more flattering picture of you:
1. “I can see myself …” Mentioning the long-term future assures the boss that you imagine yourself here for the long haul, and attaching an ambition to the phrase sets you up as someone who is always pushing toward the next level.
2. “I need to stop …” Bosses (and everyone else) respect those who recognize their own shortcomings … and then address them head-on. Being a little hard on yourself puts you in a positive light. Just don’t try the old “humblebragging” trick, in which you say something like, “I need to stop being such a hardworking perfectionist!”
3. “________ has been a lot of help to me.” Compliment your team members, and be very specific in pointing out exactly what they’ve done to assist. This demonstrates humility and appreciation for others.
4. “What I definitely want is …” Not what you think you want, or what you’d like. Tell your boss something that you’re dead set on having, and prepare both a rationale for it and a means to get it that will help the company as well. Set yourself up as a person with strong desires and specific targets—that’s how a CEO thinks.
5. “One problem I’m coming across is …” No one believes that every workday hums along smoothly, and that every department is perfect. Managers need and like for others to spot issues. The key here is that you must have a potential solution in mind, otherwise it’s a fine line between talking about problems and whining.
6. “My plan is to …” This is a phrase that puts a concrete vision in the boss’s mind that you’re actively pursuing a specific goal. You don’t have to create self-imposed due dates; those can make you feel confined unless you’re already close to the goal line. The word “plan” alone suggests you’re a person of action.
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