7 Things you must tell your manager

While the title itself is self-explanatory, I would like to add one  point here before you jump on the the numbered list. Your professional growth depends, not just own your accomplishments, but largely on how you communicate your accomplishments and how rest perceive your accomplishments as. Your image, or the mental model that people create of you could make or break your career. And if that person is your reporting manager, things become far more serious. So how do you control the negative influence or in other words how do you positively influence your manager, and help him  build a positive mental model of your personality. Objective is positive image and career success.

Here are 7 things that you must tell your manager on regular basis, as they happen and as you realized it happened.

1. I tried but I failed

Success is preferred outcome of an well executed effort, however it may not be the case always. Communicate your manager about your failures, does not matter how diminutive the task was. It sends a strong message about your character, you don’t shy away from mistakes or failures but you face them and state them. You can be trusted.

2. I learned that....

One thing that comes with both success and failure is learning. What did you learn from this experience of yours. Tell your boss and let him know that you have learned and grown with each project / experience. You are improving day by day.

3. I did this differently

doing is not enough, doing same task differently, or exploring newer ways of doing same old stuff shows that you take keen interest in your tasks and do not get bored too fast. You can be a person your manager will look upon in the difficult times as you will develop a habit of doing things differently.

4. I initiated .....

This is a really very strong positioning of yourself. This conveys straight message that you are a person who drives things and not just wait for directions. You are proactive, prudent and intelligent.

5. I prevented....

You once again demonstrated your prudence here. This statement will largely convey the message that how you ensured that productivity of many was not impacted (negatively) because you could sense something wrong and stopped it. A penny saved is a penny earned.

6. I appreciated....

Your are not arrogant, nor do you believe that you are superior than others – prove this, appreciated efforts put in by others and let your manager know that you do value your team and colleagues. You are a team player

7. Yes, that was done on time

Make your boss believe that the task assigned to you is considered done. You are his most reliable person.

Keep your manager updated, remember ‘you always have the power to influence mental models that others make of yours’. Practice this regularly and updated me on your next promotion.

@mathurabhay