The Manager's Phrase Book

3,000+ Powerful Phrases That Put You In Command In Any Situation

Patrick Alain

• Publisher: Career Press
• Year: 2013
• Print ISBN: 9781601632463
• eBook ISBN: 9781601635525
• Topic: Business
• Subtopic: Management
• Index: Business

The Manager's Phrase Book is a collection of thousands of ready-to-use phrases that will enable you to move into the ranks of today's most competent managers. You will have control of any situation at a moment's notice, regardless of your position in the corporate world. You will have all the weapons you need to succeed where vibrant, meaningful, appropriate, and, perhaps above all, precise language is required.

With this passport to success, you will begin a new game in which you are among the charismatic, the untouchable--the elite. The Manager's Phrase Book is an amazingly fast paced, easy-to-use reference book that will help you to:

Use the correct words at all times

Conquer conflict

Take on challenges and challengers

Build bridges between people

Address sticky situations

Further your own career

And so much more

The Manager's Phrase Book makes it easy for you to break out of the mundane world of management and to take on all comers. It is the latest compilation of Patrick Alain's research on how managers really communicate in today's world.

Part 1
Staffing and HR

A leader is a dealer in hope.

—Napoleon Bonaparte

Bringing in and acclimatizing new hires can be either your easiest or your most difficult task as a manager, depending on your industry, the available talent pool, your department’s budget, your own skills and experience, and the overall culture of your company. But there’s just no getting around it: This is an essential part of any manager’s job. Each time you meet with a candidate or a new hire, you are working with a clean slate. Even if that person has pored over your LinkedIn profile page, he or she likely has little to no idea what you are really like. So it’s important that you establish a good working relationship from the outset. Much of this will involve choosing the right words at the right time.

Once an employee has been with the company long enough, you will also need to deal with such things as performance reviews, raises, promotions, and firings. This is where your strength as a manager will really be tested, and where communicating clearly and confidently will count the most. Are you ready? Let’s begin!

How to Speak to a New Employee

Effusive

• We’re thrilled to have you on board. How can we make you feel at home?

• I can see that you’re already fitting in just great.

• Soon you’ll be just like one of the family.

• I don’t know of anyone who has fit in so quickly!

• After a couple of hours you’ll feel like an old timer, I promise.

• Great to have you working with us. Let me show you around.

• Don’t worry. We’ll show you the ropes until you feel more at home.

• It’s okay to feel overwhelmed on your first day. You’ll get over it.

• We all have to do our best to fit in here.

• Let’s make this as painless as possible, okay?

• I’m sure you’ll figure everything out on your own.

• I hope you’re not one of those know-it-alls.

• If you have any questions, let me know. Otherwise, you’re on your own.

• Try not to get yourself fired and you’ll be fine.

• Just keep your head down and don’t be a know-it-all.

• Well, you’ve certainly got a lot to learn.

• I like to throw the newbies into the deep end to see if they can swim. Don’t take it personally.

• Oh great, another new hire.

• Let me see if there is anyone I can pawn you off to.

• You’ve got some big shoes to fill. I hope you’re up for it.

• Even though you’re new, try to at least act like you’re interested.

Disinterested

• There’s an office pool going to see how soon you get fired.

• Don’t expect a lot of help from me.

• Honestly, I’d be surprised if you came back tomorrow.

• Who the heck hired you?

How to Give a Performance Review

Positive

• You should probably just run this company already.

• I have never been more comfortable reviewing anyone.

• You are the only person who could do this job, and do it so well.

• I expected nothing less from you, my star performer.

• You always over-deliver, and this time is no different.

• As always, another stellar performance review.

• I had to work really hard to find something negative to say.

• In general you did a good job, but there are a few areas that need improvement.

• You’re competent. I’m not sure what else to say.

• Something is lacking in your performance.

• There is one little problem that you still need to address.

• Don’t worry. I know you’ll do better next time.

• When you are a vanilla performer, you get a vanilla review.

Negative

• Honestly, I’m on the fence about where you are headed in this company.

• I’m really not sure what to make of your performance this year. It’s been so inconsistent.

• You’re usually so on the ball. What happened?

• I have concerns about the overall trajectory of your work here.

• You used to be a diamond in the rough, but now there’s more “rough” than “diamond.”

• Honestly, I’m no longer sure you have what it takes.

• There are so many issues with your performance, I don’t know what to address first.

• The math is simple: Poor performance equals poor review.

• I’m no longer sure you fit in here.

• If things don’t get better fast, you’ll be out by this time next year.

• If you don’t get a grip, you’ll be out by this time tomorrow.

• Once upon a time there was a good employee. But this story doesn’t have a happy ending.

• At least you’re consistent. You always let me down.

When an Employee Wants to Make a Lateral Move

Accepting

• They will be lucky to have you!

• They don’t know how good they’ll have it.

• I hear they’re already cooling the champagne in advance of your arrival.

• Well, you won’t get that promotion languishing over here.

Rejecting

• Good things come to those who wait, and your time has come.

• You’re the most qualified person for that job.

• Of course I’ll accommodate your request.

• If I were in your place I would want to move over there, too.

• I waited a long time to change jobs. Don’t make the same mistake.

• What’s taken you so long?

• No guts, no glory.

• If you weren’t ready to take that on, I would tell you.

• I guess that’s okay, but we’ll miss you over here.

• I know how things work over there. Are you sure you’re ready?

• You’d probably be better off staying where you are.

• Well, nobody’s stopping you. …

• It’s the same pay with the same level of responsibility. So why do it?

• I’m not sure I can see you filling that position, but you’re welcome to try.

• Knock yourself out, but don’t come running back here when you fail.

• I wish you all the best, but I suspect you’ll be back.

• I think you have a snowball’s chance in hell of making this work.

• I can’t believe you would abandon us like that.

• Out of the frying pan, into the fire.

• Lateral moves are for losers.

• So this is the thanks I get for hiring/training/mentoring you?

When an Employee Asks for a Deserved Raise

Enthusiastic to Begrudging

• Is there anything else you want? A company car? Parking space?

• I think you deserve much more than that.

• I can’t think of a more deserving employee.

• There’s no one who deserves this more than you.

• Well, what’s taken you so long to ask?

• You should have requested a raise a long time ago.

• I will do what I can for you, but I can’t promise anything.

• I like your initiative, but I can’t promise any more money than what you’re asking.

• Okay, but don’t let me down come crunch-time.

• You know this is going to require you to work even harder, right?

• Even with a raise, you’re still one of our best bargains.

• Okay, but don’t expect another raise come Christmas.

• Most employees wait a bit longer before asking for a raise.

• I guess so, but I’m not entirely enthusiastic about it.

• Tell me why we should give you a raise again?

• If we gave a raise to you, we’d have to elevate every other slacker that works here.

• I never thought we’d be giving raises to people like you.

• I’d better get my own raise request in first.

• Huh, you must know where all the bodies are buried.

• Who did you sleep with?

When an Employee Asks for a Undeserved Raise

Polite

• Once you’re a little more seasoned and successful, I will consider what you’re asking.

• I think yo...

Table of contents

• Cover Page
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Acknowledgments
• Contents
• Preface
• How to Use This Book
• Part 1: Staffing and HR
• Part 2: Ethics and Legalities
• Part 3: Feedback and Discipline
• Part 4: Bad Behavior
• Part 5: Motivation
• Part 6: When It’s Personal
• Part 7: Meetings and Presentations
• Part 8: Sticky Situations
• Part 9: Dealing With Customers
• Part 10: Managing Lower-Level Managers
• Bonus Section: Managing Up
• Index
• About the Author