Effective Ways to Manage Your Relationship with Your Boss
Advancement in your career often hinges not just on your capabilities but significantly on your dynamic with your supervisor. A solid grasp of how to navigate relationships with varying managerial styles is essential, especially if you find yourself dealing with a difficult boss. Adopting the right strategies for managing up can be crucial for your growth and satisfaction at work.
Recognize Your Boss’s Communication Style
It can be disheartening to feel dismissed during a conversation, leading you to question whether your ideas are valued. However, the root cause might stem from misaligned communication styles rather than the quality of your input. As articulated by Fast Company contributor Melody Wilding in her book, Managing Up: How to Get What You Need from the People in Charge, effective communication often depends on understanding varied styles. Wilding notes, “The good news is that these disconnects usually aren’t about your competency or the quality of your ideas—they’re about different styles.”
Research indicates that two critical dimensions define our communication approaches: dominance and sociability. Dominance pertains to an individual’s need for control, whereas sociability focuses on the importance placed on relationships and emotional ties. By familiarizing yourself with your boss’s position on these dimensions, you can tailor your communication to foster a more effective dialogue.
Assert Yourself Regarding Workload Management
Being recognized as a high performer often leads to additional responsibilities, which can be a double-edged sword. While job security may increase, you may also face an overwhelming workload that risks triggering burnout. It’s vital to communicate openly when your plate is full. Kim Meninger, another Fast Company contributor, emphasizes the need to push back when assignments exceed your capacity. Accepting too much work can adversely affect not just yourself but your organization as well.
Meninger advises adopting a consulting mindset when discussing workloads with your manager. “Leverage your expertise to tell your manager what you think is realistic,” she suggests. “Remember that you are the expert in your job.” Clearly outline your existing tasks and discuss the trade-offs associated with additional responsibilities to help your boss make informed decisions.
Prepare for Delivering Unpleasant News
At some point, you will likely need to communicate unfavorable news to your boss. In navigating such discussions, it’s crucial to approach the conversation with transparency and integrity. Art Markman, a contributor to Fast Company, offers valuable insights on how to handle these scenarios. He recommends providing your boss with an advance notice, taking responsibility for your part in any issues, and focusing on solutions rather than assigning blame. Markman advises, “Resist the urge to get defensive. For one thing, your boss may very well be giving you good advice in that moment.”
By equipping yourself with these strategies for effective communication and proactive management of workload and difficult discussions, you can successfully steer your career in a positive direction while maintaining a healthy and productive relationship with your boss.