Decoding Your Manager’s Priorities

Do you wish you knew what is important to your boss?

If you could decode their needs, you could align your efforts and prioritize your energy in the direction that helps your boss and you. Partnering on key initiatives would be so much more rewarding and satisfying.

Melody Wilding, LMSW shares 7 questions that you can ask your bosses to get insights on their challenges and priorities -

What goals do you discuss with your boss? - This question reveals what impacts your manager's performance reviews, bonuses, and career trajectory. Note if they track something different from what you typically do. You can use this insight to present your work in ways that matter to senior leadership.

What keeps you up at night when thinking about our team or projects?

This question invites vulnerability in a way that builds trust and creates an opportunity to help solve issues. You might become a trusted advisor who helps them sleep better at night by flagging risks earlier, suggesting process improvements, or taking work off their plate and reducing their stress.

What actions might make you look back 90 days from now and feel that they made a big difference?

The timeframe is key. Ninety days is long enough to accomplish something meaningful but short enough to feel tangible and specific. Ask follow-up questions to get a clear and specific response.

What do you wish you had more time to work on?

This question uncovers what matters to your manager but keeps getting pushed aside by urgent tasks. It is an opportunity for you to support your boss so they can reclaim time while you get a growth opportunity.

What does good performance look like? Great performance??

Let your boss explain "good" performance and then ask what constitutes "great" performance. Your boss might reveal how to exceed expectations and what really matters beyond technical skills.

What emerging trends should we be mindful of and potentially capitalize on?

Your manager has insights about the organization and the market you may not yet have. Their response may give you a sneak peek into what might shape their motivation and choices in the coming weeks and months. It is your chance to be ready and adapt when the time comes.

Can you help me understand how Project X compares to other tasks on my plate?

This question tells you a lot about your manager's decision-making process, including why certain priorities rise to the top while others get put on the back burner. You can reprioritize your work based on this insight and even use it to set boundaries if required.

Melody also advises paying attention to what your boss doesn't say, as well. Notice which topics they get excited about, hesitate to discuss, and when their tone shifts.

These are great tips to get inside your boss's head and earn a chance to support them in ways that are good for your career. Read the full article here - https://hbr.org/2025/02/7-questions-to-decode-your-managers-priorities?ab=HP-topics-text-16

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