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Most people suck at managing up.
They waste their boss’ time with too much (or too little) information.
Here’s how to give the right amount of context:
They waste their boss’ time with too much (or too little) information.
Here’s how to give the right amount of context:
Star employees are exceptional at communicating and managing up.
This is even more important in a remote working environment.
They proactively communicate to show they& #39;ve got it handled and prevent endless one-off questions. https://twitter.com/wes_kao/status/1451926441239719947?s=20&t=TZjCrF9HGewLbidnrH_Lsg">https://twitter.com/wes_kao/s...
This is even more important in a remote working environment.
They proactively communicate to show they& #39;ve got it handled and prevent endless one-off questions. https://twitter.com/wes_kao/status/1451926441239719947?s=20&t=TZjCrF9HGewLbidnrH_Lsg">https://twitter.com/wes_kao/s...
If you don’t share enough context, you’ll waste time on:
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="❌" title="Kruis" aria-label="Emoji: Kruis"> Needless back-and-forth
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="❌" title="Kruis" aria-label="Emoji: Kruis"> Avoidable follow up questions
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="❌" title="Kruis" aria-label="Emoji: Kruis"> Misunderstandings and confusion
Here are 8 ways to give your boss the right amount of context:
Here are 8 ways to give your boss the right amount of context:
1. Remind them where you left off.
Task switching takes a lot of energy.
Your boss is probably reading your note in between meetings (or during one!).
Assume they’re reading with partial attention. Remind them where you left off so they can task switch faster.
Task switching takes a lot of energy.
Your boss is probably reading your note in between meetings (or during one!).
Assume they’re reading with partial attention. Remind them where you left off so they can task switch faster.
2. Be specific & explicit about what you need.
Don’t assume your boss knows what you need from them.
Be specific about what you need and what the next step is.
Otherwise, they’ll assume you’re making progress–and will be surprised to find out you’ve been stalled for weeks.
Don’t assume your boss knows what you need from them.
Be specific about what you need and what the next step is.
Otherwise, they’ll assume you’re making progress–and will be surprised to find out you’ve been stalled for weeks.
3. Mention if it’s an FYI.
Don’t make people guess if they need to take action.
If your recipient has to follow up to ask, it slows everyone down.
Folks think they’re being helpful by forwarding a random email. But without context or next steps, these messages are useless.
Don’t make people guess if they need to take action.
If your recipient has to follow up to ask, it slows everyone down.
Folks think they’re being helpful by forwarding a random email. But without context or next steps, these messages are useless.
4. Adopt an action-oriented posture.
If you’re stuck, don’t just stay stuck.
Speak up to get what you need to do your job.
If you’re stuck, don’t just stay stuck.
Speak up to get what you need to do your job.
5. You can share LESS context when…
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="✔️" title="Groot vinkje" aria-label="Emoji: Groot vinkje"> You’ve made this type of decision many times & you have task relevant maturity
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="✔️" title="Groot vinkje" aria-label="Emoji: Groot vinkje"> Decision is reversible and inexpensive
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="✔️" title="Groot vinkje" aria-label="Emoji: Groot vinkje"> This is top of mind for your boss (not one of 25 projects they’re managing)
6. Aim for MORE context when the decision is…
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="✔️" title="Groot vinkje" aria-label="Emoji: Groot vinkje"> Irreversible and expensive
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="✔️" title="Groot vinkje" aria-label="Emoji: Groot vinkje"> Customer-facing
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="✔️" title="Groot vinkje" aria-label="Emoji: Groot vinkje"> You’re making this type of decision for the first time
7. Mention your criteria and assumptions.
Most bosses want to know that you did your due diligence and are thinking ahead.
Show your thought process.
Your boss can point out gaps in your logic–or update the criteria/assumptions you used.
Most bosses want to know that you did your due diligence and are thinking ahead.
Show your thought process.
Your boss can point out gaps in your logic–or update the criteria/assumptions you used.
8. Put the recommendation at the top, then context below.
Leading with a recommendation allows your recipient to read as much or as little of the context as they need.
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🚫" title="Geen doorgang teken" aria-label="Emoji: Geen doorgang teken"> [Actions, backstory, and context all jumbled together]
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="✅" title="Groot wit vinkje" aria-label="Emoji: Groot wit vinkje"> https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="👇" title="Rug van hand met omlaag wijzende wijsvinger" aria-label="Emoji: Rug van hand met omlaag wijzende wijsvinger">
Leading with a recommendation allows your recipient to read as much or as little of the context as they need.
[Actions, backstory, and context all jumbled together]https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="✅" title="Groot wit vinkje" aria-label="Emoji: Groot wit vinkje"> https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="👇" title="Rug van hand met omlaag wijzende wijsvinger" aria-label="Emoji: Rug van hand met omlaag wijzende wijsvinger">" title="8. Put the recommendation at the top, then context below.Leading with a recommendation allows your recipient to read as much or as little of the context as they need.https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🚫" title="Geen doorgang teken" aria-label="Emoji: Geen doorgang teken"> [Actions, backstory, and context all jumbled together]https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="✅" title="Groot wit vinkje" aria-label="Emoji: Groot wit vinkje"> https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="👇" title="Rug van hand met omlaag wijzende wijsvinger" aria-label="Emoji: Rug van hand met omlaag wijzende wijsvinger">" class="img-responsive" style="max-width:100%;"/>
It& #39;s your job to do the heavy lifting.
By providing the right amount of context, your boss won& #39;t have to guess to figure out what you’re trying to do.
Take the mental load off your boss & you’ll shine as an employee.
Win-win.
By providing the right amount of context, your boss won& #39;t have to guess to figure out what you’re trying to do.
Take the mental load off your boss & you’ll shine as an employee.
Win-win.
That’s it for today.
If you found this thread valuable:
1. Follow me for more threads on leadership, education, and marketing → @wes_kao
2. I’ll write a deep dive about this in my newsletter. Subscribe to get it in your inbox. https://www.weskao.com/ ">https://www.weskao.com/">...
If you found this thread valuable:
1. Follow me for more threads on leadership, education, and marketing → @wes_kao
2. I’ll write a deep dive about this in my newsletter. Subscribe to get it in your inbox. https://www.weskao.com/ ">https://www.weskao.com/">...
