{"id":382,"date":"2019-12-16T10:26:00","date_gmt":"2019-12-16T10:26:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.bossjob.ph\/?p=382"},"modified":"2019-12-16T10:27:54","modified_gmt":"2019-12-16T10:27:54","slug":"how-to-have-honest-conversations-with-your-boss","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bossjob.sg\/blog\/career-advice\/382\/how-to-have-honest-conversations-with-your-boss\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Have Honest Conversations with Your Boss"},"content":{"rendered":"

How to Have Honest Conversations with Your Boss<\/p>\n

The thought of having a conversation with your boss alone is enough to make us anxious. Whether it\u2019s about correcting your boss<\/a> or the raise and promotion request<\/a> email you sent yesterday, having a open conversation with your boss can be nerve-wracking. Especially if you don\u2019t have a particularly warm relationship.<\/p>\n

However, honesty in the workplace is very important because it\u2019s an essential ingredient to create a healthy and productive work environment. As an employee, getting into the habit of asking for feedback and sharing your ideas openly on a regular basis can definitely improve your performance at work. By showing your willingness to learn and be receptive to feedback, you shouldn\u2019t have anything to worry about during the year-end performance review. Plus, you\u2019ll get a better understanding of your boss\u2019s expectations and know exactly which are the areas you can improve further.<\/p>\n

Therefore, brace yourself for the awkward conversation, but it will be totally worth it for your career growth.<\/p>\n

Here are some tips for communicating effectively with your boss:<\/p>\n

1. Take baby steps<\/h2>\n

If you aren\u2019t particularly close to your boss (like many of us, unfortunately), you\u2019ll want to take baby steps by initiating simple conversations first. You can utilize questions like, \u201cWhat do you think about the presentation earlier?\u201d or \u201cWould you mind to review the Powerpoint slides before the client meeting? I\u2019d appreciate some honest feedback.\u201d to get the conversation going without being to invasive. Meanwhile, it helps to build your confidence over time so you can approach your boss about bigger issues next time.<\/p>\n

2. Speak the language you are comfortable using<\/h2>\n

The bottom-line here is\u2014be as professional as possible. Never use foul and obscene language. Speaking the language you are comfortable with is a must. Although English is the business language in the Philippines, but if it would work best to speak in Filipino if you are not comfortable with speaking English. Asking to speak the native language is a valid request if it makes the conversation less awkward.<\/p>\n

3. Keep your facts straight<\/h2>\n

Most bosses won\u2019t have the patience to listen to you beating around the bush. Hence, keeping your facts straight and organized helps to keep the conversation concise. It allows your boss to understand what you\u2019re trying to say easily. If you keep your thoughts clear, the discussion would more likely to go smoothly.<\/p>\n

4. Do not jump into conclusions<\/p>\n

Keeping your facts straight and organized helps you to think objectively and most importantly, not jumping into any conclusions during the conversation. A good way to avoid that is to analyze the information and think critically before making any judgment about what your boss has said.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s common for bosses to have high expectations of their subordinates and their honest feedback might be hard to take sometimes. Remember, having a one-to-one dialogue with your boss is never easy. But, it\u2019s a good learning opportunity to speak your mind and take constructive criticism<\/a> to improve yourself.<\/p>\n

5. Have a mental outline<\/h2>\n

You might have taken writing classes back in your basic and secondary schooling. Can you recall any key points that your teacher constantly asks you to remember? Have an outline, so your writing is organized and easy to be read. Same goes for speaking, having a mental outline helps as you can easily articulate your thoughts in a clear, organized, and concise way.<\/p>\n

6. Don\u2019t spill unnecessary beans<\/h2>\n

Set a clear boundary<\/a> and make sure you don\u2019t tattle. Keep the pantry gossip and personal stories to yourself, your boss is definitely not the right person to share those information with. Spilling unnecessary beans to your boss will only make you look unprofessional and petty. Make sure you\u2019re clear with the intention of why your want to have the conversation. If spilling irrelevant information isn\u2019t going to facilitate the discussion, there is no reason to overshare and cause any unnecessary disputes.<\/p>\n

7. Don\u2019t be too emotional<\/h2>\n

For people who are more in touch with their feelings, setting away your emotions can be quite challenging. This is because they tend to feel strongly about things and people around them. However, it doesn\u2019t mean that they are any less logical than others.<\/p>\n

For such situation, try not to take things too personally and be less emotional might help you to get through the conversation easier. Always remember, work is work. Don\u2019t let your emotions get the best of you especially when in a workplace setting. No point getting worked up over something at work, always remember that life isn\u2019t and shouldn\u2019t be only about work.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Having a candid conversation with your boss can be nerve-wrecking especially if he or she isn\u2019t exactly the kind-boss type. However, being able to hold honest and transparent conversations with your boss and other colleagues is crucial for your career growth and personal development. Remember that effective communication won\u2019t happen overnight. It takes consistent effort and practice to be able to have genuine, productive chats with your boss.<\/p>\n

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