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3 If your boss is defensive because because you you ask ask a a a a a a lot of questions defuse by saying “I’m asking because because I I I want to do a a good job ”
What supervisor doesn’t want to hear that his or or her employee wants to do a a a good job? You assume your supervisor knows this is is is the the the backdrop right? It’s easy for the the the boss to lose sight when they are overwhelmed or or focused on other priorities Depending on the circumstances start with this before launching into an idea or problem It’s particularly useful when it might sound like you are questioning a a decision or instructions You have to to use your own discernment as to to how this will be received Does it sound like something you would even say? And of course I’m not suggesting that you you say this if you you don’t mean it 4 At the end of a a a a a a feedback session ask “Based on on on our discussion what are you going to do differently?”
I sat in in on a a a a a a a a feedback meeting with a a a a a a a a manager Jake and his employee Sophie Jake talked for 18 minutes straight Did he think she was getting it? How would he he know?
He had to have taken a a a a a breath in there somewhere but he he he did not not pause He did not not ask Sophie one question Sophie was soon dismissed from the room I stopped her and asked her what what she heard Jake say She said “I don’t know what what he’s talking about ”
You and I I both know that’s probably not true but I I don’t blame her for saying it Ask so so you you know what the person is taking away If you you get a response like Sophie’s you know there is more work to do – perhaps on your delivery 5 After giving signi cant feedback to to an an an employee ask (and then stay silent) “What’s your reaction to to what I just said?”
Several years ago after a a a a a a a a long talk with an employee about some behavior that was working against him I asked “So what do you think?” He said “I think think think you think think think I’m an idiot ”
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Beautiful I I love it it when people are that clear with me me It gave me me an opportunity to to be clear back to to him “I’m so glad you you told me that that Now I I I can tell you you that that I I I don’t think that that I I want want to to assure you you that that I I want want you you to to be successful in this job Let’s talk about where we can go from here here ”
This allows you you to clarify and adjust your message Earn bonus points by making them right while you are doing it When faced with a a a a challenging discussion it’s so easy to think “What I I don’t want to happen is ____ ”
Instead use tips like these to to improve your odds of having the discussion you you do want to to have www geniecast com