We all make mistakes with the boss, and some leave a pretty healthy scar. My own list is robust and impressive. When you put your foot in your mouth, mess up, fail to communicate, or send a message you never intended, there’s only one thing to do - apologize and learn. As Conrad Hilton once said, “Successful people keep moving. They make mistakes but they don’t quit.”

When I was a young reporter in Rockford Illinois, I was mad at my boss on election night, and actually thought it was a good idea to share my sentiments with colleagues in the newsroom. Loudly. I was holding court when he walked in the door behind me. Everyone else was facing the door. I’ve never forgotten the look on their faces. ”Come into my office,” he said. I took my lumps, he let me keep my job, and thankfully I went on to have a pretty good first career in the news business.

I have a friend who was once mad at his boss for months, and kept a running tally of the transgressions in a word document just to get it off his chest. Later, in a random search for a legitimate document, the boss discovered it. His career did not survive.

So it is with compassion in my heart that I share the top ten faux pas that can derail you with your CEO or boss. I expect I will hear from many of you and will of course put together a second list when I do.

#10: Send your boss more than one email in a row, about a low priority, especially after you have been told it is. Makes the boss wonder if you know how to put first things first.

#9: Show up for a meeting with a presentation that is 20 minutes long for a 20 minute slot. You will get through 2 minutes of it before you are interrupted anyway, because people like to have a dialogue, not be talked at. Your brilliance will not be obvious.

#8: Keeping your boss waiting. Do I need to say it? Early is on time, on time is late, and late is career suicide.

#7: Fail to ascertain what “as soon as possible” means to your boss. In my experience, it rarely means when you get around to it. It usually means closer to - now.

#6: Walk in for a one-on-one update meeting with your boss without a written agenda. This inevitably sets up a scenario where you will go into detail on the wrong things. A written agenda is best, and best shared. It shows you are organized and respect other people’s time.

#5: Be less than lightning fast on the handoff when your boss lobs it over to you- you’re expected to communicate with others and get back without being prompted.

#4: Having nothing to say when you walk up to you boss at a party, get on the elevator, or walk down the hall after a meeting. These are great chances to connect and impress. Learn the art of small talk and also be prepared with some news about how much you’re enjoying a project or what progress you’re making on an important issue.

#3: Long, wandering communications of any kind - presentations, memos email or voice mail. Years ago, a CEO told me if it’s more than one page, he sends it back to the employee without reading it. If you must send a longer document, provide a one page executive summary, and make it good.

#2: Wasting time up front in a business meeting on small talk. Most CEOs and leaders prefer their small talk AFTER business is done. There are exceptions, but 95% of bosses like to get down to business after very brief pleasantries. If it goes well, you’ll have time and permission to shoot the breeze.

#1: Failure to communicate well and show respect to direct reports, your own team, or God-forbid, customers, prospects, shareholders, directors and stakeholders. These will be duly noted. Be consistent. Treat them the same way. Get back to everyone promptly, show respect, be clear, concise and thoughtful in your communications.