feedback, and negotiating project and task priorities. LISTEN AND ASK QUESTIONS. ⢠Pay attention to what your boss say
harvardbusiness.org/harvard-managementor
STRATEGIES FOR COMMUNICATING EFFECTIVELY WITH YOUR BOSS Effective communication is key to managing your relationship with your boss. To build and sustain a strong partnership with your boss, you must master listening, communicating problems, disagreeing, giving him or her feedback, and negotiating project and task priorities.
COMMUNICATION SKILL
STRATEGIES
LISTEN AND ASK QUESTIONS
• Pay attention to what your boss says and how he or she says it. • Ask questions to clarify, get information, and build rapport. • Actively listen by offering verbal and nonverbal feedback, paraphrasing, and withholding judgment.
PRESENT PROBLEMS
• Describe the problem. • Identify your solution or approach. • Explain the implications. • Discuss the benefits. • Take responsibility for the outcome.
DISAGREE
• Tie your ideas to your organization’s and manager’s goals. • Reflect your boss’s concerns. • Provide your manager with actionable suggestions, not just objections. • Explain how your ideas could help avoid pitfalls or overcome risks.
GIVE FEEDBACK
• Wait to be invited. • Don’t offer feedback if you are uncertain that your boss wants it. • Share your observations and ideas for improvement. • Reframe your feedback if your boss gets upset or defensive.
NEGOTIATE PROJECT AND TASK PRIORITIES
• Emphasize that you’re aware of the importance of all of your projects. • Clarify the time requirements of your projects, and identify what you can and cannot do. • Ask for help in scheduling deadlines to avoid putting other projects in jeopardy. • Provide alternatives if your priorities don’t match your manager’s expectations. • Follow up in writing to demonstrate your commitment to those priorities.
