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How do I tactfully express a few key points of advice from this article to my manager? He's generally a good manager, just very bad at: > 14. Don’t shoot down
by simpixelated 11y ago
How do I tactfully express a few key points of advice from this article to my manager? He's generally a good manager, just very bad at:
> 14. Don’t shoot down ideas until it’s necessary.
> 25. Don’t judge too quickly; you’re right less often than you think. Even if you’re sure you’re right in any given case, wait until everyone’s opinion is heard.
> 30. Most conflict happens because people don’t feel heard. Sit down with each person and ask them how they feel. Listen carefully. Then ask again. And again. Then summarize what they said back to them. Most of the time that will solve the problem.
> 34. Use non-violent communication — it’s the best method I know of to critique people’s behavior without offending them. It smells like a management fad, but it really works (I promise).
Number #34 includes a link to an article on non-violent communication which pretty much sums up why I feel stressed and pressured at work all the time. It's not so much the deadlines, although they are stressful sometimes, it's more my managers communication style.
> Say you’re an early employee at a startup. You’re probably working 12 to 14 hours a day doing the work of three people. So which question would you prefer to hear from a teammate?
A. Will you get your work done this week?
B. What do you need to hit your deadline this week?
The first is an example of a closed question. It requires a “yes” or “no” response and does nothing to acknowledge your dedication or address your feelings about it. You know there’s a right answer and a wrong answer, and just knowing that is likely to make you tense, agitated and defensive.
http://firstround.com/review/power-up-your-team-with-nonviolent-communication-principles/ http://firstround.com/review/power-up-your-team-with-nonviol...
My manager is constantly asking type A questions. It took my a long time to understand why I felt so pressured and this is exactly why. He just wants to hear yes and if he hears no, it feels like I've done something wrong. He is willing to help if that's the case, but every meeting feels like a hostile negotiation.
- philjr 11y agoHave a frank and honest conversation. Any good manager doesn't want his employees to be stressed. Mention the S word and you'll get his attention. Have you brought this up with him previously?
- simpixelated 11y agoI've certainly mentioned stress, but the target has always been deadlines, shifting priorities, etc. I've never been able to articulate his particular faults.
- philjr 11y agoRemember it's his communication style so first thing is try not to get stressed in the first place. If your child starts crying, you may get stressed the first couple of times, but with experience you understand it's just the nature of the child and there are a set of steps you can take to diffuse the situation. Treat your situation with your boss the same way. At a tactical level start translating his requirements down to less aggressive language in your head. Your long term plan though should be to tackle his communication style head on in a relaxed way. If you have regular one on one's start addressing this there. If you don't talk to him about organising them or organise them yourself as a way to stay on point priority wise. You may end up figuring out you have a shitty boss, but any half way decent boss wants to improve so if you give him the opportunity they often will.
- simpixelated 11y agoThanks, this advice will definitely help. I know he's open to feedback so I'll make sure to be proactive.
- philjr 11y agoFeel free to reach out for any advice. Email is in profile
- BurningFrog 11y agoMaybe you need to provide the B side. "Will you get your work done this week?" "To do that I'll need X and Y" If you feel pressured to lie to your boss, that's a serious problem. Is it possible you're misreading him? Do others on the team feel the same way?