Our resident corporate Agony Uncle, CEO Ken Cheng, tackles business challenges – so you don’t have to
Dear Ken Cheng,
How do you know when is a good time to say I love you for the first time?
– Carla, The Pennines
Ken Cheng:
If we’re talking about a professional relationship, then it really depends.
I think it’s seen as frowned upon to say “I love you” to your colleague or your boss, and that it is seen as unprofessional. But why?
It’s completely fine to say “I love you” to a family member, and a company is basically one big family where everyone is paid to be a part of it (so even better). The office is a family household and the boss is the Daddy (or Mummy).
Sometimes, if you’re starting to feel the urge to say it to your boss, maybe during a conference meeting or a yearly appraisal, maybe just say it?
Because sometimes a boss will really appreciate those words. They’ve been working much harder than you for only a slightly better salary than you have. They deserve to hear “I love you” sometimes.
As a boss, I can imagine these three magic words are on the tips of my employees’ tongues. After all, I’m looking after them in the same way a bird would regurgitate food into a baby bird’s mouth, except for me it’s delegating tasks.
So, if those three words slip out at any point, let them fall without catching them. Maybe, it’s just what your boss needs right now.
If we’re talking about a romantic relationship, who cares? It’s not that deep.
To have your business issues addressed or to book Ken Cheng for your event: [email protected]
