Preparing for a Tough Conversation with Your Boss

In the last few weeks, several people have told me about their plans to have conversations with their respective bosses about raises, promotions, or changes to work arrangements. Knowing that one of the business classes I teach at Vanderbilt University is Negotiation, each person asked how I would handle these potentially tough conversations. Like any…

Read More

7 Keys to Effectively Giving Your Boss Negative Feedback

Giving your boss feedback can be tough. While some leaders are open to learning and listening, others are far less receptive. If you find yourself in a situation where you feel compelled to provide your boss feedback, here are seven keys to more effectively delivering the message. Below is a PDF suitable for sharing with…

Read More

How to Ask for a Pay Raise

Regardless of how strong your relationship is with your direct supervisor, you likely feel awkward bringing up the topic of compensation. A study from Ally Bank, found that 70% of people find it rude or awkward to discuss money in social settings. If we are uncomfortable discussing money with the people we choose to interact…

Read More

How to Give Your Boss Negative Feedback

Mastering the ability to provide negative feedback down the organizational hierarchy can prove insufficient. Sometimes, we find ourselves compelled to give feedback in the other direction – not to our team members, but to our boss. Harvard Business Review reports that “30% of feedback intervention efforts hurt performance.”  That’s certainly a problem if you are…

Read More