What do you do if your boss doesn't understand your perspective?

One thing I have found helpful is to first analyze the current process and all the moving pieces, understand your boss’s communication style and create a plan that expresses your idea in the style your boss responds to. Critical to have data points showing today’s state (we are at 20% of xyz) implementing this change will increase productivity of xyz to 35%.

Say it seven times, so that your boss hears you, if that doesn't work, reevaluate your situation, if it is due to disrespect then leave the table.

Do a better job of expressing your perspective. 1. Do you understand what is important to your boss? 2. Are you referencing those things will touch on what is important to your boss or continuing to push what is important to you? 3. Do you lack credibility, relationship, or the impression of expertise with your boss? If so, this will lead to a lack of trust. Finally, People make most of their decisions emotionally, and use facts and data to back up that decision.

Fully agree with the perspective noted as being supportive and aligned with those you report to. Always behind close doors as appropriate, express respectfully your position but, your alignment with your boss is critical. There is always more you don’t know and trusting the direction and approach of your boss is critical. Being a critical part of leadership is showing your teamwork and support for the direction the organization is taking for the good of all employees and the mission of the enterprise.

Keep it simple Ask yourself, is your perspective worth fighting for—if not, move on. If it is, build trust over time and it may come together organically through proven results. If it is a battle of the ego—find a way to make it your bosses idea.

So first spend some time thinking about how the information will likely be received by your boss. Your delivery will be informed by how you think they are going to process it. I think the best approach is to highlight to your boss that you had been reflecting on the matter and you would really value the opportunity to sit down and get their perspective on different views. If you are worried that they will see this as a challenge to their authority, be upfront that you totally respect chain of command, but you want to work through to ensure that there is clarity for you and also highlight the benefits of this for future. Have a summary of areas you agree and then perhaps where views diverge. Ask if your articulation is correct.

Without concentrating only on WHAT, give equal importantance to HOW you are sharing and WHEN you are sharing your perspective with your boss. 1) Project your perspective powerfully backed up with strong data points. 2) Explore what are the top challenges important to your boss and relate if possible, how your perspective can add value to solve them. 3) Be prepared to face disagreement. Be ready with 2 key aspects : YES worthy & NO Ready. (WHY the idea is worthy ? WHAT additional insights or alternatives to be projected if the idea is rejected ? 4) Show empathy & actively listen while speaking to your boss by having an open mind to understand why your boss disagrees. 5) Politely with respect share your idea insisting on its benefits.

Choose the Right Time: Don't ambush your boss. Pick a time when they seem relaxed and receptive. Maybe schedule a specific meeting to discuss your perspective, or approach them during a lull in their day. Anticipate Questions: Consider what questions or objections your boss might have. Prepare clear and well-thought-out responses to address them. This shows you've put in the effort and are serious about your viewpoint.

Consider using visual aids such as charts or graphs to help illustrate your points effectively. It's also important to anticipate potential questions or concerns that may arise and be prepared to address them. By taking the time to plan your communication strategy, you can increase the likelihood of your perspective being understood and accepted by others in the practice. Remember to stay open to feedback and be willing to adjust your approach if needed. Effective communication can help foster collaboration and drive positive change within the practice.

This is one of the important topics for discussion. Plan your approach in such a way that it has all the possible outcomes. The approach should have measurable outcome with defined timelines.

IF, you are expecting a response (or action), make sure you have clarified your wants and always put yourself in the other persons' shoes to help understand how to better to communicate your wants (which are not necessarily "needs") .

Active listening is crucial during any conversation, especially when discussing important matters with your boss. By fully concentrating on what your boss is saying, you can better understand their perspective and any concerns they may have. This can help you address their feedback more effectively and demonstrate your willingness to consider their viewpoints. Additionally, active listening can help build rapport and trust with your boss, leading to more productive and constructive conversations in the future. Remember to ask clarifying questions and summarize key points to ensure mutual understanding. By practicing active listening, you can enhance your communication skills and strengthen your professional relationships.

Listen, ask clarifying questions, evaluate current emotional state and reframe if possible; if not the wait for the right time to approach my boss again.

Reflect on Alignment: Consider what's important to your boss. Are their goals for the practice similar to yours? Are you focusing too much on your own priorities without considering theirs? Open the Discussion: Start by mentioning you've been reflecting and would appreciate their perspective on different approaches.

*Use examples and facts to support your points. *Listen your boss's perspective. *Seek feedback to understand what aspects need clarification or improvement. *Follow Up on discussions to ensure that your perspective is understood and considered.

Acknowledge their perspective: Say something like, "I understand you might be concerned about [boss's concern]" or "It makes sense that you prioritize [boss's priority] because [reason]." Recognize their challenges: Show you understand their workload or the pressures they face. You could say, "I know you have a lot on your plate right now" or "I appreciate you considering this amidst everything else."

In my experience it helps to acknowledge the other person’s perspective. Example: "I understand you might be concerned about [boss's concern]. Is this correct?” Acknowledge their challenges. Show you understand their stresses, their challenges, etc. Example: "I believe you have a lot of responsibilities this month (or week”), or "I really appreciate your consideration with this situation. I know that you have a lot going on this month and this just adds one more thing."

Showing empathy towards your boss's perspective is essential in building a positive and constructive dialogue. Acknowledging and understanding your boss's point of view, even if you may not fully agree with it, can help create a sense of mutual respect and collaboration. By expressing empathy, you demonstrate that you value their opinions and are willing to consider their feelings and concerns. This can lead to a more open and honest conversation, where both parties feel heard and understood. Remember to use empathetic language, such as "I understand where you're coming from" or "I can see why you feel that way," to show that you are actively listening and validating their emotions.

I also offer solutions. I will literally put it all down on paper and then give choice options. At the very end, I ask for their ideas, thoughts, or suggestions. It typically works so I can close that out and move on to the next task.

It's essential to approach every situation with a constructive mindset. Instead of simply highlighting the issues, focus on offering solutions that align with your viewpoint. This proactive approach not only demonstrates your commitment to improvement but also shows that you're actively contributing to the success of the company. Your solutions should be practical, feasible, and beneficial for the overall goals of the organization. This approach not only helps bridge the gap in understanding but also fosters a collaborative environment where different perspectives are valued for the betterment of the team and the company.

This can help foster productive discussions and potentially lead to positive outcomes. By offering solutions, you demonstrate that you are not just pointing out problems, but are actively seeking ways to address them. It also shows that you are open to finding common ground and working towards a resolution. Providing solutions can make your perspective more persuasive and impactful, as it shows that you have thought through the issue and are prepared to take action.

Make sure you understand your boss’s perspective and show her/him that you do. By explaining what you’ve understood. Explain what you agree with in your boss’s perspective and where you differ. Maybe how you could do it their way and how you could add some of what you want to do and how that would make it better. Show willing to do it their way but speak up for your perspective

It is the senders responsibility that the receiver gets it. Regardless if you communicate up or down. If they disagree, then at least they got it. If they never agree then you might be working for the wrong boss