Disagree with her and you could wind up on the unemployment line. Conversely, being a yes man or woman and blindly supporting all her ideas probably won't do much for your career (unless you work for Donald Trump).
Sharon Daniels, CEO of AchieveGlobal, an international training and consulting firm with a leadership development practice, agrees. "Providing insightful feedback and ideas to senior leadership allows up-and-coming managers to position themselves as thought leaders, increasing their value to the organization and opening the door to career advancement."
So how can you share your opinion with your boss without offending her ideas? Read on for five pointers
1. Build up your credibility.
Don't be too vocal on any job until you've proven yourself to your team and your boss. If you establish credibility by achieving results with your own performance, then you'll find it easier to convince others of the value of new ideas, Daniels advises.
2. Be solution-oriented.
When speaking up to your boss, resist pointing out problems until you've thought through a possible solution. "We tell our junior staff not to come forward with a problem unless they also bring ideas on how to solve it," she says.
3. Remember that there's no "I" in "team."
Keep in mind that you're part of a group, and use your voice to drive change that will benefit everyone's performance. Training and organizational development expert Daniels counsels, "Adopting a collaborative approach will position you as an emerging leader."
4. Be a copy cat.
Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, especially where giving feedback is concerned. Daniels believes adopting your supervisor's style is key to being heard around the office. She states, "Learn your boss's style and how he or she likes to be approached. You'll get a more willing audience for your opinions if you present them appropriately."
5. Don't go over anyone's head.
Even if your team leader doesn't have the power to effect the change you're proposing, you must still propose it to her or him first. Says Daniels, "In a multi-layered organization, present the idea to your immediate supervisor first for her/his input. Then you can go together to discuss the idea with the boss -- an approach more likely to result in a productive discussion."
