You're struggling to communicate with your boss about concerns. How can you effectively address them?

If we were working on this I would encourage a deep dive into what the struggle is. Why do you find it difficult to communicate? Often times, there are deeper limits or assumptions making a conversation like this challenging. If we can remove the roadblocks or blind spots all the rest will come more easily. With love and light -Meggan

When you're struggling to communicate with your boss about concerns, it's crucial to approach the situation with clarity and confidence. Start by preparing your thoughts—know exactly what you need to say and why it matters. Frame your concerns in a way that highlights their impact on the team’s success, making it clear that your goal is to enhance, not criticize. Choose the right moment for the conversation, ensuring your boss is open to dialogue. Speak directly but respectfully, and focus on solutions rather than just problems. By being assertive yet considerate, you can turn a difficult conversation into a catalyst for positive change.

Before approaching the boss, it's good to do your homework first. Is it genuinely a concern which needs boss's attention? Have I gone wrong somewhere which could be improved? Can the situation before handled differently? Self reflection answers most of the questions if the concern isn't a big one. Once you've reflected on your thoughts, if you still feel like bringing it to boss's attention, then schedule a meeting and set an agenda. Talk with a soft tone and genuinely communicate about your pressing issues or concerns. The tone, humbled attitude and respect will make the conversation more like a discussion rather than a heated argument or conflict

Moving past all the "normal" considerations, such as be professional, consider the timing, use active listening skills, etc. Let's hit on the topic of communicating in general. Many people lack intrapersonal skills, and more specifically, social skills in-person. With the amount of technology and networking taking place online, there is a gap in effective communication skills. Learning how to effectively have a conversation using assertiveness skills would be something I would suggest. Once that is established, then let's target the concerns. Are they concerns or complaints, and are they ones your boss handles or is this something you can handle, but due to lack of communication skills you don't know how?

Timing is crucial when voicing concerns to your peers, especially in a professional setting. Emotional intelligence plays a key role in determining the best moment and approach for discussing sensitive issues. By assessing the current situation and understanding your boss’s mood and workload, you can choose the most opportune time to bring up your concerns. This approach ensures that your message is received more openly and constructively. Effective communication involves not only choosing the right time but also framing your concerns in a way that highlights mutual benefits and solutions. This thoughtful approach fosters a positive dialogue, making it easier to address issues while maintaining a supportive working relationship.

Preparation is key for success. When we sit with the issue or situation and write down key points, we then can gather our thoughts and have an informed conversation. I recommend bringing your organized notes in bullet form to your meeting to reference so you stay on track.

When communicating concerns with your boss you need to know both yourself and your boss really, really well. While it ideally should be about facts and clear communication you will need to put time and effort into doing some homework. It took me a LONG time to figure out that the title and the talent don't always connect in the way that I hoped they would. So do your homework. YOU will need to be the most mature person in the room. Ideally you want to present your facts clearly with examples of the point you are trying to make. Best to focus on outcomes pertinent to the business not gossip nor personnel issues. You want to be seen as someone who cares about and understands the business's bottom line and that's why you have a concern.

When communicating with a boss, I want to be clear on understanding the issue from their point of view so we can find a workable solution. I don't want to come to a conversation with an agenda. My goal is to understand the problem and offer possible solutions. Active listening involves hearing and repeating back to your boss what you heard so there is no misunderstanding. Ask for clarity if you still don't agree and suggest possible compromises that work for both of you. You may not find total agreement, but remember your boss is responsible for decisions as the person in authority. Be prepared to graciously and respectfully accept whatever they decide.