How often have you felt like your hard work is being overlooked by your manager? When this happens, it’s easy to feel undervalued and even discouraged.
The reality is that your boss lacks time and has their own stressors to respond to. That’s why it’s so important to make your responsibilities — as well as your achievements — visible to your leader.
1) Build trust through light touches.
Consider instituting a short daily huddle where you share with your boss what you did yesterday, what you plan to do today, and what (if anything) is blocking you. You can make this formal by scheduling a standing time to touch base, or simply reaching out to your boss with periodic updates a few times per week.
2) Take full advantage of your one-on-ones.
One-on-ones tend to be longer than a daily huddle (usually 30 to 60 minutes), and offer an opportunity for you and your manager to connect in real-time not only about work, but also about your career development and growth. It’s up to you to drive the discussion. You can make the most of your time by adding a “recent wins” section to your meetings.
3) Create a window into your work.
When your manager lacks insight into your work, it creates ambiguity and space for them to make negative assumptions about what you aren’t doing or achieving. Remedy that by sharing databases or planning documents that allow your boss to see visible evidence of progress. This could take the form of a dashboard with real-time metrics, a weekly rundown of client feedback, or a shared document that details progress toward key performance indicators. Remember, your manager is not a mind reader. It’s up to you to keep them informed about how hard you’re working. Doing so isn’t a burden, but rather an opportunity to put your smarts and successes on display
