Communicating with Your Boss

Be a Leader…

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Four Ways We Communicate Up

Planning the way we communicate

Managing priorities & expectations

Receiving suggestions & feedback

Selling an idea up

Manager’s Priorities and Goals

Planning the Way We Communicate

• Frequency

• Subject Matter

• Follow Up

• Timing

• Evidence

• Method

• Audience

Managing Priorities and Expectations

People Process

Leading Doing

How do relationships impact our ability to manage priorities and expectations?

Managing Priorities Communication Process

1. Assure the other person the project request is important

2. Clarify expectations

3. Spell out responsibilities and prioritize

4. Try to help solve the request

5. Ask for appropriate resources

6. Thank the person for the opportunity

Receiving Suggestions & Feedback

Feedback Communication Process

1. Thank your manager for the suggestion

2. Find a point of agreement and relate it

3. Ask questions for clarification

4. If you disagree with the suggestion, calmly state your reasons

5. Relate your plan of action and get agreement

6. Thank the person again

Selling and Idea Up

Selling Up Communication Process

1. Bring the topic up and ask first for your manager’s ideas about the topic

2. Ask permission to state your case. Talk about the solution

3. Invite dialogue and listen

4. Know when to accept No

5. Outline benefits