--- title: Things You Do That Scare Your Boss description: Seven workplace behaviors can quietly erode trust. Learn what leaders should watch for—and what employees can do differently to build stronger teams. image: https://more.butlerstreet.com/hubfs/blog%20images/Startled%20Executive%20in%20a%20Modern%20Office.jpg --- [![butler-logo](https://more.butlerstreet.com/hs-fs/hubfs/butler-logo.webp?width=600&height=161&name=butler-logo.webp "butler-logo")](https://www.butlerstreet.com) Login/Sign up [OUR BLOG](https://www.butlerstreet.com/blog-1) - [Home](https://www.butlerstreet.com/) - Solutions - [Sales Training Programs](https://www.butlerstreet.com/sales-training-programs) - [Leadership Development](https://www.butlerstreet.com/leadership-development) - [Recruiter Training](https://www.butlerstreet.com/recruiter-training) - [Key Account Management](https://www.butlerstreet.com/key-account-management) - [Virtual Training](https://www.butlerstreet.com/virtual-training) - [AI Coaches](https://www.butlerstreet.com/ai-coaches) - Products - [eLearning](https://www.butlerstreetonline.com) - [NPS ®](https://www.butlerstreet.com/net-promoter-score) - [Voice of the Customer](https://www.butlerstreet.com/voice-of-the-customer-survey) - [ClientFit®](https://www.butlerstreet.com/kam-clientfit) - Resources - [Blog](https://www.butlerstreet.com/blog-1) - [Events & News](https://www.butlerstreet.com/events) - [Book - Become the Only Choice](https://www.butlerstreet.com/become-the-only-choice) - [Videos](https://www.butlerstreet.com/videos) - [Members Only](https://www.butlerstreet.com/site-members) - About - [Leadership](https://www.butlerstreet.com/leadership) - [Clients & Testimonials](https://www.butlerstreet.com/testimonials) - [Staffing Industry Solutions](https://www.butlerstreet.com/staffing-industry-solutions) - [Print Industry Solutions](https://www.butlerstreet.com/print-industry-solutions) - [Contact](https://more.butlerstreet.com/contact-us) [Contact Form](https://www.butlerstreet.com/contact) --- 3 min read [Execution & Performance](https://more.butlerstreet.com/blog/tag/execution-performance), [Leadership Development](https://more.butlerstreet.com/blog/tag/leadership-development) --- # Things You Do That Scare Your Boss ![](https://more.butlerstreet.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog%20images/Startled%20Executive%20in%20a%20Modern%20Office.jpg?width=900&name=Startled%20Executive%20in%20a%20Modern%20Office.jpg) SHARE - - - [mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https://more.butlerstreet.com/blog/things-you-do-that-scare-your-boss&body=Check%20out%20https://more.butlerstreet.com/blog/things-you-do-that-scare-your-boss&media=https://22459909.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/22459909/blog%20images/Startled%20Executive%20in%20a%20Modern%20Office.jpg](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https://more.butlerstreet.com/blog/things-you-do-that-scare-your-boss&body=Check%20out%20https://more.butlerstreet.com/blog/things-you-do-that-scare-your-boss&media=https://22459909.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/22459909/blog%20images/Startled%20Executive%20in%20a%20Modern%20Office.jpg) - - As a long-time Chief Operating Officer responsible for hundreds of employees, I was always immensely grateful for engaged employees. You know the kind. They take initiative, help others succeed, and move the entire company forward in ways that are sometimes unimaginable. It takes a lot of effort and intention to recruit this top talent and, more importantly, retain and develop them. It also takes a strong culture of setting expectations, providing feedback, and coaching for high performance. During our leadership development sessions, we spend considerable time discussing how to lead highly engaged employees. We also discuss how to coach those employees whose actions occasionally make us wonder if we have the right person on our team. With Halloween approaching, I thought it was an appropriate time to revisit some common workplace behaviors that "scare" bosses, or at least make them hesitant to invest more responsibility and opportunity in someone. If you recognize yourself in any of these, consider making a few adjustments: ### **1. Not enthusiastic about learning.** Sure, you're paid to do your job, but your boss expects you to understand how your role impacts others and contributes to the company's success. With technology, AI, and customer expectations changing how we work, curiosity has never been more important. Rather than going through the motions like a zombie, seek opportunities to learn from your peers, understand the business, and strengthen your skills. Invest a little time in learning every day. ### **2. Ghosting.** Worse than delivering bad news is delivering no news at all. When your boss has to wonder whether you're making progress, meeting a deadline, or following through on a commitment, you're creating unnecessary anxiety. Whether you're working remotely, in the office, or somewhere in between, communication matters. A quick update, even when things aren't going as planned, builds trust. It's not okay to go dark. ### **3. Making the same mistakes over and over.** I haven't met a leader yet who expects employees to be perfect. In fact, strong leaders encourage people to take risks, try new approaches, and stretch beyond their current capabilities, knowing mistakes will happen. The concern comes when someone refuses to learn from those mistakes and continues repeating them. Good employees live by the motto, "I either win or I learn." Doing neither scares your boss. ### **4. Blaming others.** There's a big difference between an employee who takes accountability and one who always has an explanation for why something wasn't their fault. Whether it's a coworker, a broken process, or technology that didn't cooperate, excuses don't solve problems. Great employees take ownership, communicate what happened, and focus on making things right. Things will go wrong. How you respond matters. ### **5. Creating drama.** You can consistently hit your numbers, but if you do it while gossiping, treating others disrespectfully, or spreading negativity, don't be surprised when you're kept at arm's length. Your attitude affects more than your own performance; it influences the people around you. Words matter, and you can't take them back. Choose them wisely. ### **6. Unwilling to change.** The world is changing faster than ever, and the way we've always done things may no longer be the best way forward. New technology, AI, evolving customer needs, and different ways of working require us to adapt. You don't have to embrace every new idea without question, but you do need to be willing to learn, experiment, and improve. Yesterday's success doesn't guarantee tomorrow's results. Don't be a dinosaur. ### **7. Finding problems and not solutions.** Finding problems takes very little skill. Finding solutions takes initiative and critical thinking. Finding ways to prevent problems in the first place is even better. Your boss doesn't expect you to have every answer, but bringing a recommendation or a willingness to help solve the issue demonstrates ownership. Don't be the Eeyore of the office. Be the superhero! If you've slipped into any of these behaviors, hopefully your boss has provided feedback about how they're affecting your performance or the team. But why wait for someone else to point them out? Take an honest look at your habits and consider what you could do differently. Small changes in how you communicate, learn, and take responsibility can make a tremendous difference in how others experience working with you. **At Butler Street, we believe great performance begins with people.** Leaders who set clear expectations, coach consistently, and create an environment of accountability help employees develop the skills and behaviors that drive results. If you're looking to strengthen your leadership culture and build a more engaged, high-performing team, [let's connect.](https://more.butlerstreet.com/contact-us)   ## Related Articles [![calendar image](https://more.butlerstreet.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog%20images/calendar%20image%20for%20blog.png?width=500&name=calendar%20image%20for%20blog.png)](https://more.butlerstreet.com/blog/what-your-calendar-reveals-about-your-priorities) [Execution & Performance](https://more.butlerstreet.com/blog/tag/execution-performance), [Sales Performance](https://more.butlerstreet.com/blog/tag/sales-performance) --- ### [What Your Calendar Reveals About Your Priorities](https://more.butlerstreet.com/blog/what-your-calendar-reveals-about-your-priorities) Key Takeaways: Your calendar is often a more accurate reflection of priorities than goals or intentions. Reactive work can create the feelin... 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[Continue Reading](https://more.butlerstreet.com/blog/ai-is-changing-your-culture-already) [![arrows depicting various directions of strategy](https://more.butlerstreet.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog%20images/office%20and%20missed%20target%20image.png?width=500&name=office%20and%20missed%20target%20image.png)](https://more.butlerstreet.com/blog/why-smart-leadership-teams-struggle-to-execute-consistently) [Execution & Performance](https://more.butlerstreet.com/blog/tag/execution-performance), [Leadership Development](https://more.butlerstreet.com/blog/tag/leadership-development) --- ### [Why Smart Leadership Teams Still Struggle to Execute Consistently](https://more.butlerstreet.com/blog/why-smart-leadership-teams-struggle-to-execute-consistently) A CEO walks out of a leadership meeting confident the business is aligned. Priorities are clear and the plan is solid. But a week later, exe... 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[Atlanta, GA, United States | info@butlerstreetl.com](mailto:info@butlerstreetllc.com) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Mary Ann McLaughlin, Managing Partner", "url" : "https://more.butlerstreet.com/blog/author/mary-ann-mclaughlin-managing-partner" }, "dateModified" : "2026-10-23T14:44:16.709Z", "datePublished" : "2026-10-23T14:32:38.000Z", "headline" : "Things You Do That Scare Your Boss", "image" : [ "https://more.butlerstreet.com/hubfs/blog%20images/Startled%20Executive%20in%20a%20Modern%20Office.jpg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://more.butlerstreet.com/blog/things-you-do-that-scare-your-boss", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://more.butlerstreet.com/hubfs/Butlerstreetlogo%20(1).png" }, "name" : "Butler Street" } } ```