Building Career Confidence: How to talk to your boss

Today begins a new Indy Style segment series with Lindsay Boccardo, generational consultant and millennial career coach. It’s called, “Building Career Confidence,” and today Boccardo shares how to talk to your boss. Here’s more from her:

I find a lot of us are unsure of how to use time with our boss effectively. There are a few things that can help you stand out, even if you have something unpleasant you need to talk about.

1. Process your emotions with a safe third party.

2. If you’re upset about how a project was handled, what a co-worker said, or how an email went out, it’s natural to feel fired up and defensive or irritated and want to vent. It’s not helpful to include them in on that process and it doesn’t leave a great impression. Venting is not the same thing as emotionally connecting and being authentic. Venting is a process we sometimes go through when we aren’t ready or willing to find a solution just yet. Your boss will pick up on this, trust me.

3. If you are bringing a concern, make sure to share how that concern effects the bottom line of the business or slows down a process. Make it simple for them to understand why this needs attention.

4. Ask your boss if they’ve ever had to deal with this before and what they’ve done in the past to fix it. This includes them in the process and show them that you respect their experience.

5. Bring a solution to the table to show you’ve already thought about how to handle it.

6. Always always always write up a quick agenda and send it ahead of time. This helps your leader prepare for what you want to cover and will keep you on track to make the most of your time with them.

For more from Boccardo, visit her website.