Words Like Black Magic
I have some thoughts on the phrase, “I told you so.”
I think this phrase is often used by supervisors when speaking to their subordinates... So, to all you supervisors out there: I want you to fully understand the impact this phrase has.
First of all, it’s common for supervisors to scold their subordinates, isn’t it? Even when they’ve given instructions—such as “Be careful here” or “Don’t make mistakes like this”—and the subordinate still makes a mistake, supervisors sometimes blurt out, “I told you so!”
However, do you realize that this comes across as a very dismissive attitude, as if to say, “A boss’s role ends at simply conveying information”? These words are extremely painful for subordinates to hear.
I even feel like these words are like black magic—capable of destroying my relationship with my subordinates in an instant.
It’s a manager’s job to give instructions, and it goes without saying that subordinates should act in accordance with those instructions. However, a manager’s job doesn’t end with just giving instructions, does it? A manager’s role is to see that the work is completed.
You have a responsibility to monitor how your subordinates are carrying out their tasks and to follow up as needed. Otherwise, the work won’t be considered complete.
The leader bears all the responsibility.
When a task delegated to a subordinate doesn’t go well, rather than shifting the blame onto the subordinate, a supervisor needs to consider how they themselves should provide support.
The phrase “I told you so” is essentially the same as shouting, “I did tell you properly!” or “It’s your fault!” Doesn’t it feel like something a boss would say just to cover their own back?
Work is something done as a team. A team has a leader, and the members act according to that leader’s instructions. That is precisely why all responsibility lies with the leader.
For example, just because a subordinate made a mistake, you can’t shirk responsibility by telling the client, “It’s my subordinate’s fault,” can you? The responsibility lies entirely with the leader.
To summarize, a supervisor isn’t just responsible for giving instructions to subordinates; they also have a responsibility to monitor and support them to ensure those instructions are carried out successfully, and to take corrective action when necessary. In that sense, this remark comes across as nothing more than an attempt to protect one’s own interests, and it’s the kind of thing that will cause you to lose the trust of your subordinates.
Just an "escape"
It is also important for subordinates to fulfill their responsibilities. Rather than thinking, “It’s not my responsibility anyway,” they must listen carefully to their supervisor’s instructions and take responsibility for any failure to carry them out. They are expected to think about how to recover from such mistakes.
It is important for both supervisors and subordinates to trust and support one another. As long as we are working as a team, it is crucial that we take responsibility for one another, fulfill the tasks assigned to us, and give it our all by making full use of our abilities.
As we continue to support each other in this way, a team naturally forms, and we become people we can rely on. I think the best thing about the construction industry is that, even when mistakes happen, we have the mindset of, “Let’s all pitch in to make up for it.”
Let’s try to avoid saying, “I told you so!” as much as possible. Instead, it’s important to view mistakes as opportunities for growth and work together to figure out how to improve. When both managers and employees continue to grow together, it leads to the team’s success.
Let’s understand that this isn’t anyone else’s fault—it’s basically our own responsibility. And I really want you to know that saying, “I told you so,” is just an excuse.
