Respect from your boss isn’t a given; you have to earn it. Start by understanding what matters to your manager. Pay close attention to their priorities and the pressures they’re under. Next, figure out the best way to communicate with your boss, adjusting your preferred style if necessary. Does your manager like email, texts, face-to-face conversations? How often do they want to hear from you? Once a week? Once a day? Only when needed? And ask your boss how much detail they want about your work. Do they prefer you to lead with analysis or your judgment? If there is a mismatch between how you and your boss like to work — maybe you check email every hour but their inbox goes unread for days — have a candid conversation about the reasons for your preference. Discuss the situation openly and decide together how to proceed.
Adapted from "How to Earn Your Manager's Respect," by Rebecca Knight
