Communicate With
Your Boss
Many adults lack communication skills and have trouble speaking effectively with their spouses and close friends. It is far more difficult to communicate effectively with authority figures, such as a boss who is in control of your career. But there will be times when communication is necessary between you and your employer. Practicing and understanding basic communication techniques can aid you during such situations. Putting them into practice can be intimidating, but it is a life skill that is necessary to learn.
Instructions
Communicating With Your Superior
1. Before talking to your boss, take a pen and notebook and write down everything you want to talk about in chronological order.
2. Rehearse the conversation with your boss with a friend or by yourself. If you choose to rehearse by yourself, later on share what you plan to say with a friend and ask him for his opinion on your communication approach.
3. Practice body language as well as what you plan on saying. Practice to the point where you can avoid fidgeting, looking off into space, tapping your feet, slouching, or backing away.
4. Bring your pen and notebook with you to your meeting with your boss and reference back to your notes about what you wanted to say. Also, take notes on what your boss says to you.
5. Avoid absolutes and words such as "always," "never," "you" and "every." Instead, use words such as "perhaps," "maybe," and "I."
6. Respect your boss by listening carefully. Repeat key points to show you understand, and if something is unclear to you, ask for your boss to repeat it. Ask questions based on his responses to show you are paying attention and want to learn more.
7. Throughout the entire conversation, make sure that you continuously calm your nerves, manage your anger, be polite, be open-minded and stay positive during the conversation.
8. Thank your boss for his time and praise him for his help.
