Everyone reports to someone. It does not matter how far up the chain you move in your career your actions will be judged by some entity who manages you. A sure-fire way to upset an authority figure is to leave them out of the loop or proceed without their approval.
If you realize that you are not communicating as well as you would like with your boss, regardless if the issue lies with you, your boss, or maybe both of you, there are ways to improve the situation.
It does not matter if your boss is the MVP of bosses or the worst one ever, you must learn how to communicate to build and maintain an effective working relationship.
Through careful and deliberate steps, you can deliver the correct level of thoughts, ideas, and work updates with the person you report to daily. Good communication ensures that you can get on with your work, secure in the knowledge that your actions are approved. It also removes confusion and miscommunication, keeps you connected to the flow of information across teams and departments, and allows you to build a relationship built on trust.
Like learning any new skill, effective communication requires extensive practice and effort until you become good at it. Practice the following tactics to increase positive communications with your boss.
1. Build a relationship.
There is no rule that states you need to be your boss' friend or even like your boss, but it is important that you develop a cordial professional relationship. Ideally, this relationship will develop to be mutually beneficial to both parties and should allow both entities to feel like they can rely on the other for support.
2. Surprises are not good at work.
Unless it is a party, surprises are never good at work. If something occurs or a decision is made your boss should hear it from you. Keep your boss in the loop so that they do not find out critical data from someone else first. This builds trust and accountability. Repeated failures to communicate important events or actions will erode your boss' confidence.
3. Stick to the facts.
It is easy to make assumptions and give opinions. What is difficult, is to be the person your boss can rely on to give them the facts they need to make a decision. Trying to lead or influence your boss to follow your line of thinking will make them trust you less and they will believe your data always comes from a slanted angle.
4. Cut to the chase.
Do not leave out critical facts, but keep your communication short, clear, and specific. Everyone is doing multiple jobs and juggling many tasks, therefore make the most of the limited time you have with your boss. Maximizing the communication time you have will allow everyone more time to get their work done.
5. Build strong loyalty bonds.
In relationships, loyalty is never a waste of time. This holds true at work. If you are loyal to your boss, they will be loyal to you. Always make your boss look good, avoid keeping work-related secrets and when you make a mistake, own up to it and explain how you will correct it. Building a strong trust bond with a manager is crucial to your reputation as an employee and ultimately your career success.
6. Timing is everything.
Do not barge in when your boss is busy and demand to talk about the placement of the new snack machine. Find the right time to talk to your boss. It can be as simple as asking them when it will be a good time to talk about a topic. This shows you are aware they have time demands and are sensitive to their schedule, plus it gives them time to prepare and be focused on the topic.
7. Stop whining.
Everyone has problems, but how those problems are handled can be a game changer. Whining to your boss on how bad things are and how much work you have will never gain your boss' respect. Be the problem solver, the solution maker, and come to your boss armed with possible ways to resolve the issues you face. Avoid complaining about things that really are not an issue, this will only label you as an employee who is not a problem solver.
8. Learn to take criticism.
Criticism of your work should not be taken personally. If your boss critiques your work embrace it as an honest feedback aimed at making you a better employee. Learn from it and move on.
9. Follow up and follow through.
Accountability is what will separate you from your peers. Do what you say you will do in a timely manner. Always set time lines and meet them. If you are facing an obstacle that could delay a task, update your boss well before you miss the deadline. Accountability is a factor that will lead to promotions.
10. Pay attention.
Listen and take your boss' guidance, suggestions and directions. Do not linger in meetings when you or your boss covered the open topics, thank them and get back to work regardless if the meeting went the way you hoped it would. Never drag out a meeting trying to win your point. If your boss requests follow-up information from you, provide it promptly following the meeting.
Successful communication with your boss is never a waste of time, and poor communication could cost you your next promotion or even your job.
