How to Improve Communication with Your Boss

Don't be intimidated by your boss. Be constructive.

Communicating with bosses can be scary. After all, they hold the power over your tasks, pay and, to some extent, success. Ultimately, they too are people and have jobs to complete. With some patience, you can build a constructive working relationship built on mutually effective communication. Some conversations are more difficult than others, but the same considerations apply.

Instructions

1. Understand your boss's and your communication styles. Sometimes it isn't what people say, but how they say it that makes all the difference. When you speak, stay respectful but be assertive (rather than aggressive) regarding your ideas and needs at the workplace.

2. Choose an appropriate communication method. If your supervisor prefers in-person meetings, schedule time with him in or outside the office. For important conversations, schedule a meeting in his office. For creative brainstorming, consider a meeting with a larger group in a more informal space. If you have a small request, an email could suffice.

3. Be constructive and prepared. Your boss does not want to hear a laundry list of complaints without ideas about how to resolve the situation. Be prepared for your meeting by thinking about your needs, wants and ideas and providing options on how to move forward. If you are pitching an idea, think through the details and gather the relevant information. Preparation will help your confidence.

4. Be flexible and patient. Sometimes your boss has a different perspective based on her position in the organization. She may be considering the links between your work and your colleagues. Don't become upset if your boss does not accept your idea completely. Instead, be ready to talk through options and change some aspects of your plan.

5. Ask questions. There is no reason to struggle needlessly with a task. If you do not understand your assignment, ask for clarification. Also ask questions to understand your supervisor's perspective. In both instances, stay professional and curious. Try open-ended questions that cannot be answered with a yes or no. For example, "What is it about the marketing strategy that concerns you?"

6. Use recourse when necessary. After multiple conversations and efforts, if you are still having trouble with your supervisor, speak to human resources about the problem. They can inform you of your rights and offer help.

Tips & Warnings

• Observe other coworkers' behavior toward your boss. If you are new to an office or unsure how to proceed, pay attention to how other coworkers talk to your supervisor and model their behavior and communication style.

References

• Business Performance: Making Communication in the Workplace Effective
• Focused Momentum Life Coaching: How to Improve Workplace Communication with Your Boss
• Business-Man.biz: When you Hate your Boss