Description:
Sometimes I find it hard to understand my manager’s expectations because of their indirect way of communicating. Would it be beneficial to bring this up, or could it risk our working relationship?
2 Answers
Your manager's indirect communication could be rooted in a cultural or personality difference, often described as high-context communication in sociology. This style assumes shared understanding without explicit statements. Before bringing it up, consider how your own communication preferences influence your perception. How might adjusting your approach create smoother interactions? A practical step is to ask open-ended questions during conversations to gather more details gently. For example say something like "Could you tell me more about what you had in mind?" This invites clarity without challenging their style directly and shows you're engaged in meeting expectations effectively while respecting their natural way of communicating.
- Gregory Jacobs: Thanks for the insight! Do you have any tips on how to adapt my communication style without coming off as passive?Report
A low-risk quick win is to paraphrase their requests during conversations—this makes expectations explicit and idempotent without calling out their style directly. For a long-term fix, consider suggesting regular check-ins with clear agendas where you both align on priorities and feedback. This creates an automated rhythm that reduces ambiguity over time while strengthening trust, making indirect hints less of a hurdle in your collaboration
Join the conversation and help others by sharing your insights.
Log in to your account or create a new one — it only takes a minute and gives you the ability to post answers, vote, and build your expert profile.
Similar Questions
-
How to establish communication boundaries with family when WFH?
How to establish clear communication boundaries with family members or roommates when you work remotely from a shared living space? Need tips to minimize interruptions and reduce stress for everyone involved.
-
Where can introverts find networking opportunities at work?
Are there spaces or events tailored to make networking easier and more genuine for quieter personalities? It would be great to find options that help build professional relationships
-
How do I maintain professional friendships without risking favoritism?
But sometimes I wonder, how do you keep those friendships professional so it doesn’t affect how others perceive fairness? It can get tricky when lines blur between work relationships and personal ones. What are some good strategies to balance being friendly while ensuring there’s no hint of favoritism?
-
Which is the best way to rebuild trust after a workplace conflict?
Sometimes, it feels like everything changes between you and your colleagues or manager. I’m curious about what approaches actually work best to restore professional relationships without things becoming awkward or strained. Do you think certain methods work better depending on the nature of the conflict or the people involved?
-
How to handle conflicts with coworkers professionally?
You want to maintain good relationships but also stand your ground when needed.What strategies can help strike that balance between being assertive and cooperative?
-
Is it okay to stay friends with ex-colleagues who join competitors?
Several colleagues I socialized with recently took jobs at direct competitors. I value those friendships and want to keep them, but I worry about confidentiality, perceived loyalty, and potential career consequences (e.g., being passed over for promotion or accused of sharing information). What boundaries should I set in conversations and social settings? Should I proactively...
-
Where can I find mentors who specialize in cross-cultural workplace communication?
I’m curious about where professionals typically look to connect with mentors who have expertise in navigating cultural differences at work, because that seems like a valuable skill to develop.
-
Which is better for career networking: industry events or online communities?
When it comes to building professional connections, there are so many options these days. Some people swear by attending in-person industry events, while others find online communities more accessible and effective. I’m curious about the pros and cons of each approach in different career fields. Could one be clearly better for networking depending on your...
-
How can I rebuild trust with a coworker after a costly mistake?
After a public mistake I made increased a coworker’s workload and undermined their credibility, what practical steps can I take to rebuild trust and repair the professional relationship? Should I apologize privately, publicly, or both; offer tangible restitution or take on corrective work; involve our manager; or propose a joint plan to fix the impact?...
-
Where can I find mentors for navigating office politics?
It would be great to hear about the best places or networks where experienced professionals are open to mentoring in this area.