How to tell your ceo about a problem

Career development
27 Do's and Don'ts for How To Talk To Your Boss

By Indeed Editorial Team

Updated June 1, 2022 | Published January 29, 2021

Updated June 1, 2022

Published January 29, 2021

Leaders are responsible for encouraging growth within the workplace, promoting a healthy office culture and ensuring efficient, productive and profitable operations. It’s common for people to have conversations with a boss or superior about one of these topics. If you have a meeting with your boss upcoming or you want to find out how to talk about your future goals, you must know the right ways to communicate with people in leadership.

In this article, we describe 11 reasons for having a conversation with a superior and explain 27 do’s and don'ts for how to talk to your boss.

What are common reasons to talk with your boss?

Here are 11 personal and professional reasons you may need to have a one-on-one conversation with your boss:

You want to discuss your career trajectory.
You want to be considered for an upcoming promotion.
You feel you deserve a raise.
You need clarity on the expectations for your job and role.
You seek guidance for reaching your performance goals.
You are having trouble interacting with a coworker.
You need new equipment or updated access to complete your work.
You need work accommodations for a personal circumstance.
You want to request time off.
You have a scheduled performance review.
You have questions regarding feedback or suggestions.

Related: How To Write an Email to Your Boss (Templates and Examples)

Tips for talking to your boss about your future

Consider these tips to use when talking to your boss about your future goals within your company:

1. Decide what your goals are

When you're preparing to have a conversation with your boss about your future within the company, you are likely to encounter questions about your professional aspirations. Think about which aspects of your job bring you the most fulfillment, what areas you're most successful with and how you want your daily workday to look like. Examining these things helps you determine what your actual career goals are and prepares you for answering questions about your desires for the future.

Related: How To Set Professional Goals for Career Advancement

2. Research opportunities for career growth at your job

A company's unique structure and size affect the number of advancement opportunities available to employees. For example, a large company with hundreds of employees could have several leadership positions and opportunities for vertical career advancement. Doing some research on what opportunities are available can give you focus and clarity. Having this information also helps you to clearly express your goals and interests while conversing with your boss.

3. Be confident in your value as an employee

Being confident in expressing the ways you add value to your team or the organization is how you advocate for yourself. When you are speaking with your boss about your career trajectory, point out your successes, knowledge and leadership abilities. Doing this respectfully reminds your boss about your strengths and competencies.

Read more: 11 Tips for Improving Confidence at Work

4. Ask for advice and opinions

Show respect for your boss' experience and position by asking them for advice or opinions on how to propel your career in the direction you are looking to go. Asking for advice encourages people to take the time to listen to you explain your aspirations. Also, this person could likely have suggestions about steps you can take to reach your future goals.

Related: How To Ask for Feedback

Tips for talking to your boss about professional challenges

Here is a list of things to do when talking to your boss about the professional challenges you are facing:

1. Schedule a meeting

Reach out to schedule a meeting with your boss. If you are experiencing trouble reaching expectations or you need advice on managing professional relationships, you must have a formal sit-down with your boss. Scheduling a meeting in advance helps your boss be more prepared. It allows them time to think about your concerns and develop helpful solutions or guidance. Be sure that you're polite and discrete when requesting a meeting.

Related: How To Request a Meeting With Your Boss

2. Rehearse the conversation

Rehearsing is a common preparation tool that helps people feel calm, focused and prepared. Before you meet with your boss, think about everything you would like to discuss and imagine what your ideal outcome would be. Practice having this conversation aloud with a friend.

3. Keep notes

Keep a journal about your productivity, workplace interactions and questions. These notes help people organize and document professional challenges. If you are having a problem that requires speaking with your boss, review your journal. Use it to organize your thoughts and gather important details about your concern, like dates, locations or types of equipment.

Related: 25 Effective Tips for Note-Taking

4. Be direct about the problem

When you're meeting with your boss, directly address the problem you are facing. Stay focused and on topic so that your boss understands your concern. Offer specific details and show examples for clarity. If the issue is interpersonal, stay level-headed and calm, offer dates, detail any incidents that have occurred and clearly explain how this matter affects your work.

Example: "Thank you so much for meeting with me. I am having a problem fitting in with my group. Andrew and Jessica dismiss my ideas and sometimes ignore me. Here a few emails that I sent them regarding content ideas. If you look at the responses they sent back, I think you will agree that I'm being underappreciated."

5. Ask for guidance

If you're experiencing a professional problem, it's important to ask for guidance before the end of your meeting with your boss. After you explain what your concern is and offer all the necessary details, ask your boss directly about what can be done. This person will likely have suggestions about steps you can take to resolve your problem. Regarding interpersonal concerns, your boss might choose to manage the next steps themselves.

Example: "I have a lot of ideas to contribute to the project—and with my experience and expertise, I know I have a lot to offer the team. Do you have any suggestions about how to get Andrew and Jessica to see the value I can add and be more collaborative?"

Tips for talking to your boss about personal circumstances

Here is a list of tips for how to talk to your boss about personal circumstances that are affecting your work:

1. Be timely

Communicating with your boss right away is respectful and can help operations run smoothly. If you are experiencing a personal problem that is interfering with your work, or you expect that it could in the future, let your boss know. You can email them, schedule a meeting or have an impromptu conversation.

2. Communicate your needs

When you meet with your boss, directly address what you need to continue to succeed at work. Focus on your commitment to completing your tasks and duties, and explain the details of your personal circumstance.

Example: "As a grant writer, I need to be able to meet with my team each week to discuss progress and goals. Right now, I am struggling with childcare and I had to miss my weekly meeting on Thursday. I wanted to talk to you about my circumstances because I am afraid of missing more of these crucial meetings over the next few weeks."

3. Focus on solutions

After you explain your personal circumstance to your employer, redirect the focus away from the problem and toward a solution. Doing this shows your boss that you are proactive and committed to the responsibilities of your role.

Example: "At home, we're interviewing babysitters for after-school care. I am hoping to have this sorted out as soon as possible, but I don't want to rush an important process. Right now, the meetings with our team happen right at the end of the workday, and attending the full meeting would prevent me from picking my children up from the school bus. Do you think it would be possible to reschedule for an earlier time in the day until I sort out my family situation?"

4. Be appreciative

It's important to have gratitude when someone listens to your personal circumstances. Show your appreciation for your boss' time by being polite at saying thank you. Another way to do this is to write a thank-you email. Whether you show your thanks in person or electronically, it is best to be sincere and timely in your delivery.

Read more: Thank-You Letter To Your Boss: Tips and Examples

Tips for talking to your boss during a performance review

Here is a list of things to do when accepting feedback from your boss during a performance review:

1. Remember that growth is the goal

When receiving feedback from your boss, stay focused on the growth objective. Use active listening techniques to fully absorb what is being said. Your boss is likely offering this feedback because they see your potential to grow in this area. Keep an open mind and try to accept the advice or direction constructively.

Read more: Active Listening Skills: Definition and Examples

2. Ask about personal experiences

During a performance review, your boss may explain an area in which you need some improvement. In this scenario, ask them directly if they've had a similar experience or struggle like this during any time in their career. It's likely that they have encountered this situation before or know a colleague who has. Asking a question like this shows respect for your boss and lets them know you intend to find a solution for resolving or growing from the concern they have.

Example: "I see what you mean about the importance of meeting my sales quotas each quarter. I am working hard on my goals, but sometimes I struggle to know which leads to actively pursue and which to put on hold. When you were at this stage of your career, how did you learn how to prioritize potential clients?"

3. Focus on positive performance

While participating in a performance review, it is crucial to listen to everything that your boss has to say. Be positive in receiving feedback and constructive criticism, and take time to highlight or acknowledge what you are doing well. If your boss hasn't mentioned any positive traits or work habits you possess by the end of your meeting, ask them directly about what things they would like to see you continue doing at work.

4. Be thankful for their insights

Your boss likely has degrees, experience or credentials that afford them the expertise of their position. Getting their feedback is crucial to your success and growth. Show gratitude for the feedback and insights that you are given. You can do this by saying thank you, smiling or taking notes during your performance review.

5. Explain how you plan to grow

After expressing gratitude for your boss' insight, explain the measures you plan on taking to make the most of their feedback. The primary objective of workplace feedback and performance reviews is your professional growth. Explaining your plans for improvement shows your commitment to career development.

Example: "These are really great points for improving my productivity and quality of work. I appreciate your insights, and I plan on getting to work on these things right away. I think I will start keeping a daily log to help me track my productivity. This way I will have a better handle on what helps me to perform at my best."

What to avoid when talking to your boss

Here are nine things to avoid doing when talking to your boss about your goals, personal circumstances, professional challenges and workplace outcomes: