Talking to management

1. Encourage interruptions (tell me what you already know, what you don’t understand) — goal is understanding.

• Go in grouned and confident to set the stage for the conversation.

Managing up

• Address the question behind the question (QBQ) – what is their true concern?

  • Signs for a QBQ: I feel like I have addressed the question, but other person doesn’t seem satisfied.

  • Example: How is the project going?'' is Is the project being handled?’’. So, be specific about that I’m doing and where things stand.

• Communication: main point first, then context.

  • Example:

  ``Can we do X?

  Context: …''

• Share your point of view

  • Don’t just ask questions, share your perspective (one of the most valuable things I bring to the table).

  ``Given X and Y, I believe Z is happening. My hypothesis is that we should do A, and here is how we could do it: …''

• Explain your logic – see above example

Framing your ideas