Last updated on Jul 8, 2024

What do you do if your boss is out of touch with your work progress?

Feeling like your boss just isn't on the same page as you regarding your work progress? It's a common scenario in the workplace and can lead to frustration and miscommunication. But don't worry, there are proactive steps you can take to bridge that gap and ensure that you're both aligned. It's all about opening lines of communication, setting clear expectations, and being proactive in your updates. Remember, it's essential to maintain a professional approach throughout the process, as this will foster a better working relationship and help you advance in your career.

1 Assess Reality

Before jumping to conclusions about your boss's awareness, take a moment to objectively assess the situation. Consider whether you've been providing enough information and whether there are existing channels for regular updates. Sometimes, what feels like disconnection can be a simple oversight or a mismatch in communication styles. Reflect on your own reporting methods and how often you initiate discussions about your work. It's important to establish a baseline of communication before addressing the issue.

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Marie d'Hautefeuille 🎯

Psy du travail, je vous accompagne à prendre votre place et naviguer par tous les temps dans votre vie pro et perso grâce aux soft skills : carrière, confiance, communication, organisation, travailler en équipe, agir
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Je crois que très souvent, nous communiquons mal ou pas assez avec nos managers, car de fait beaucoup de personnes voient cela comme du flicage, du contrôle. Alors, qu'en réalité donner des informations à son manager sur notre travail, nos avancées, nos actions, nos difficultés c'est aller chercher de l'aide, c'est mettre en avant son travail, c'est donner les informations nécessaires à notre direction pour mettre en place les bonnes actions auprès des clients si nécessaire. Je conseille toujours de communiquer ses actions au moins une fois par semaine.

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2 Initiate Dialogue

Once you've assessed the situation, the next step is to initiate a conversation with your boss. This isn't about making demands or pointing fingers; it's about expressing your desire to keep them informed and seeking their preferred method of communication. Approach the topic during a one-on-one meeting, and be prepared to suggest practical solutions, such as regular progress reports or scheduled check-ins. Remember to listen actively to their feedback and be willing to adapt your approach.

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Abril Barrientos Aguiñaga

Talent Consultant | Talent Acquisition Specialist | Headhunter | Your Strategic Recruitment Partner
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Creo que es importante manatener siempre informado a tus jefes, ya se con correos, en reuniones. Todos tienen diferentes estilos, así que acercarte a él y conversen sobre la mejor manera, quizá pueden tener una sesión semanal o quincenal para actualizar en avances y recibir retroalimentación. Nunca te quedes callado, si es tu interés, da el primero paso.

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3 Set Expectations

Clarifying expectations is crucial in aligning your boss's understanding of your work progress. Discuss and agree upon what success looks like for your projects and how often they'd like updates. By setting these expectations, you create a framework for accountability and ensure that both parties have a clear understanding of the desired outcomes. This mutual agreement will help guide your work and the information you share moving forward.

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Alberto Daniel Castillo Hurtado

Ventas|Supervisor de ventas|Distribuidores|Atención de clientes|Equipos de ventas|Eventos especiales|Facilitador de aprendizaje vivencial Líder yoga de la risa|Dinámicas grupales|Voluntario|Empresas felices
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Un líder debe tenerla capacidad de contribuir con el progreso, crecimiento de su equipo, ir de la mano con su gente, en caso contrario un jefe puede sentirse amenazado al notar que en su equipo existe un ambiente competitivo ( desleal ) que atente contra su cargo. Hoy en día se habla de lideres mas no de jefes, de colaboradores y no empleados... En lo personal soy partidario de enseñar lo que se, gestionar ambientes agradables donde la comunicación, el respeto sean protagonista del día a día.

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4 Provide Updates

With expectations in place, it's time to follow through by providing regular updates. These can take the form of concise emails, brief reports, or even a shared project dashboard, depending on what works best for your boss. Your updates should highlight achievements, challenges, and next steps. By keeping your boss in the loop consistently, you'll minimize the chances of them being out of touch with your work progress.

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5 Seek Feedback

Feedback is a two-way street. As you keep your boss updated, also seek their input on your work. This shows that you value their perspective and are open to learning and improving. Asking for feedback can also lead to valuable discussions that may provide you with new insights or direction. Regular feedback sessions can strengthen your relationship with your boss and ensure that they remain engaged with your work.

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6 Reflect & Adjust

Finally, it's important to periodically reflect on the effectiveness of your communication strategy and make adjustments as needed. If you find that certain methods aren't working or if there's a shift in project dynamics, be flexible and open to change. Continuous improvement in how you communicate with your boss will not only keep them informed about your work progress but also demonstrate your commitment to professional growth.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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What do you do if your boss is out of touch with your work progress?

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1 Assess Reality

2 Initiate Dialogue

3 Set Expectations

4 Provide Updates

5 Seek Feedback

6 Reflect & Adjust

7 Here’s what else to consider

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What do you do if your boss is out of touch with your work progress?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Assess Reality

2 Initiate Dialogue

3 Set Expectations

4 Provide Updates

5 Seek Feedback

6 Reflect & Adjust

7 Here’s what else to consider

Interviewing

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Thanks for your feedback

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