A good schedule is important
If you know that a meeting with the boss is coming up and you are responsible for organizing it yourself, you should plan the meeting in advance. Such a plan allows you to think carefully about what you would like to talk to your boss about and how much time you should devote to each topic. “There can be five to seven topics, depending on how much you need to cover each of the topics in an hour,” says Crawford. “If you only ask after half an hour, it could be three to five items. But ten things is probably not realistic.” One should therefore refrain from setting a schedule that is too tight and inflexible. The agenda created should then be sent to the supervisor before the interview so that he can also prepare. In this way it is also possible to ask for a short feedback and to ask whether the topics are okay for the person you are talking to.
If the boss has requested the meeting, it is advisable to confirm the meeting and ask for additional information. For example, according to Abbajay, one could reply, “Yes, I would love to, that would be great. Are there any specific topics you would like me to cover so I can prepare for them?” This is how you find out what’s on the boss’s agenda. Nevertheless, it is still important to create your own agenda.
During the meeting, the agenda helps keep the conversation on track and doesn’t forget anything important. If the boss strays or dedicates more time to other issues, it’s okay to politely get back to your own points. Abbajay recommends saying something like, “Oh, that’s really interesting, but can I come back to that topic for a moment? I want to make sure I’m clear.” However, you shouldn’t be too inflexible and always be in a clinch with your boss about the speaking times of the individual topics. If it’s obvious that the boss gives other things a higher priority, you should give yourself a little exposure to that. After a while, though, it’s okay to point out that you’ve been talking about just one topic for a long time and ask if you should continue.
Get and ask for feedback
In a one-to-one conversation, it is important to find out what the boss thinks about you and how he assesses his own work performance. “Get feedback on your work products… and also on your overall performance,” rt Abbajay. You should be very precise here. For example, one might ask, “Any feedback for me on the X Project? I’m specifically wondering what you think of the launch.” When the boss then gives the feedback, it is important to deal with it properly. In addition to exclusively positive feedback, there could also be critical comments. Instead of becoming defensive, Abbajay recommends asking specifically what could have been done better and where the mistakes were in this situation. It is also useful to seek advice for the next project. Also, don’t be afraid to ask for help. Because failing in a project because you don’t dare to ask for support is worse than revealing any weaknesses. Many people are afraid to ask because they don’t want to look incompetent. However, asking questions can also be perceived as a desire to constantly improve and to work on one’s own deficits. A possible request for help could be phrased as follows: “I’ve been working well on some aspects of this project, but I’m stuck here and I’d like your insight so I can make sure I’m approaching this in a way that is fr the team is the most helpful.”
Make an impression and stay in the memory
Last but not least, it is of course important to make a good impression on the boss and to be remembered. In order for this to succeed, you should be an essential support in the team for the supervisor. “Employees do well when they focus 70% on themselves and 30% on what the boss needs,” explains Abbajay. “The more you understand what’s going on with your boss and what their pressures and stressors are, the more you can find ways to become even more valuable to that person and differentiate yourself,” she adds. At the end of the conversation you can also ask exactly what you could do more, less or differently in order to be of even greater help. In addition to being an incentive to give your boss the best possible professional support, it is also good to develop a personal relationship. To get along well and get to know each other a little better, a little small talk can be had at the beginning of a conversation. As a result, the meeting starts more naturally and does not become too stiff and dry despite the schedule with professional topics. You can get started, for example, with polite questions about weekend plans, family or planned vacations.
In order to really be remembered by the boss after the successful conversation, it is advisable to write down the things discussed and then send the boss a kind of summary afterwards. In this way, both you and your manager do not forget the results. It also makes a good impression if you write down what your boss says to you in the meeting.
Nicolas Flohr / Editor finanzen.net
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