How to talk to Management

Knowing how to talk to management is a critical skill, no secret there. What you may not know is how your management views their conversations with you and your peers. The whole purpose of communication especially upwards is to impart valuable information that the company needs to hear and process. Your ability to have and deliver important information is a Critical Career skill.

The instance you initiate communication your intended recipient evaluates the conversation you are trying to initiate. Inevitably no matter how many Human Resources courses they have been through teaching how to actively listen, how the contribution of each employee is valued and must be honored with their time, the brutal truth is they are trying to decide if you are going to waste their time.

Before initiating any communication with management ask yourself quite honestly, “Am I going to waste their time?” If you can’t honestly convince yourself this is information they need and want, then stop, don’t go in the office, don’t sent that email.

Effective communications starts with not having ineffective communications.

To get their attention and for them to value your time you need to convince them what you have to communicate is something they care about. They need to care in order to have an effective communication.