What advice would you give junior professionals about interacting with more senior colleagues?
Dr. Jake Tuber's 1-Question Survey
I'm updating a workshop for early-career professionals called 'Communicating with Senior Leaders' (I need a better name, I know) and would like your input.
It’s designed to help your more junior colleagues communicate more effectively. Whether in meetings, corresponding via email, giving presentations, or elsewhere.
(image created with DALL-E)
My Question for You: What advice would you give junior professionals about interacting with more senior colleagues?
Here are a few sample responses I've received so far:
“If you're presenting some information to me, once I say "I get it", move forward. Don't keep selling an idea thats been bought.”
“If I understand the information we're looking at together, but I draw a different conclusion than you, you may need to just accept that.”
“Don't send me a super-long explanatory email unless I asked you to send that. Instead, send me something with one sentence explaining why you're emailing me, maybe 2-3 small points, and your request/question.”
“If I ask you to look into something or bring something at our next meeting, bring it up at our next meeting! Even if its just to say that you looked into it and it didn't make sense, you couldn't get the information, etc. Please don't make me ask for it again.”
“If you are presenting something that may not be what I expected to see, make sure you mention where I can find a bit more about what I DID expect to see (e.g. it's in the appendix, the data don't exist, etc.).”
“You may have spent a ton of time on something, but I probably haven't thought about it since we last discussed it. Don't assume I am on the same page. There is stuff that might seem super obvious to you, but be mindful nobody else has thought about it.’
“Consider asking me how much context/recap/detail of your work I would like before diving in.”
What would you suggest? Please share it here on LinkedIn or here anonymously.