Your boss is swamped with work. How can you help them without overstepping your bounds?

Communicating clearly is very important! This also makes your boss gain your trust and know that your interested in learning and helping him / her with some tasks that can be done from your end. It will not only help him / her clear his To-Do list but will also help the individual to gain knowledge and experience a different material.

Your choice of words is important too. A great approach is to ask, "What can I take off of your plate?" So many times, a boss will give an automatic no when the word "help" is used.

Be careful with this one - sometimes we can take initiative and address needs that aren't aligned with our bosses goals or desires. This also comes with time. It's tempting to try and make a good first impression by doing this when first starting in a role with a new boss, but it's better to ask curious questions first to get a better idea of their expectations, goals, and needs. Know what done looks like - don't put a lot of time, money, or resources into something that may miss the mark. When giving information, give a high level overview of just the info that is needed, but do your research and be prepared for follow up questions. Leaders get bogged down in overcommunication - keep it clear, succinct, and useful.

There is a lot of emotional intelligence required for this and it's not always easy to discern. When in doubt - ask! Don't be afraid to be direct (but respectful) and ask what is ok and what isn't. If you disagree with your boss, lean into it with curiosity, not judgement. Ask them "Why?" - and not in a room full of people, but privately. This is the best way to learn more about expectations of your role, your bosses boundaries, and the culture of the organization. Ultimately, it is your boss's responsibility to set clear boundaries, but you must also intuit when they're not explicit and respect them either way. Remember, we want you to bring your whole self to work, but you must remain professional at all times. No matter what!

It is imperative that you approach this area with caution. I communicate carefully and offer my assistance & let them reach out to me. If you offer assistance without asking you run the risk of making your boss feel that you don’t think that they are capable and may read it as a sign of disrespect.

In my experience this is one of the most challenging things to ask of employees, but so necessary! Get an accurate picture of the problem. Research the issue before offering solutions. Are other people having this problem? Is it caused by something unexpected? What are possible barriers to a solution? Think like a boss! Do something that helps you get into character as a boss. Sounds silly, but it can help you get in the right mindset. Brainstorm! Write down any and all solutions you think of, no matter how crazy they seem. Talk over your solutions with a trusted coworker. Understand your boss may say no, you may not know why, and it's not your place to. Any feedback you receive, good or bad, is a gift - I promise! Use it to grow.

Give a vote of confidence and offer a solution that works. It is better to be seen as helpful and proactive than to be perceived as just a team member or employee. Numbers just don't count, impact also counts.

To help your boss without overstepping your bounds, you can offer assistance by asking if there are any specific tasks you can take off their plate or if there's a way you can support them during this busy time. Showing initiative and being proactive in offering help while respecting their boundaries can go a long way in easing their workload without overstepping. It's all about being supportive and understanding of their situation!