Most people calculate the risk of giving their boss feedback and decide that silence is safer.

The math seems obvious: speak up and you might damage the relationship; stay quiet and nothing changes.

So they keep their mouth shut when the meetings drag, when morale takes a hit, when a decision lands sideways.

The thing nobody talks about is that the people who shape their boss's behavior most effectively are the ones who give the most feedback. Not because they are bolder. Because they understand the mechanics of how to frame a message when the power dynamic is uneven.

In this episode of The Manager Track, Ramona walks through why upward feedback feels loaded, how trust changes the range of directness available to you, and the four communication principles that make feedback land when you are talking to someone above you in the hierarchy.

Here is what you will take away from the episode:

The Trust Calibration Principle: how to assess whether your relationship has earned the level of directness you are about to use, and what happens when people skip this step.
Low-stake and mid-stake testing: specific language for surfacing observations and patterns without triggering defensiveness, so you can gauge your boss's openness before going further.
The 4 Principles of upward feedback: The dos and don’ts that determine whether your feedback lands and earns more respect from your boss, or does the exact opposite.

If you have ever had feedback for your manager sitting in your head for weeks because you could not figure out how to say it without it going sideways, this episode gives you the structure to actually get it out and do it well.

Listen now on our Website, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.

RESOURCES MENTIONED

Schedule a Leadership Strategy Call with Ramona https://calendly.com/ramonashaw/leadership-strategy-session
Grab the free New Manager Toolkit mentioned in the episode: archova.org/freetoolkits
Learn how to turn your 1-on-1 meetings from time wasters, awkward moments, status updates, or non-existent into your most important and valuable meeting with your directs all week. Learn more at: http://archova.org/1on1-course
Grab your copy of Ramona's best-selling book 'The Confident & Competent New Manager: How to Rapidly Rise to Success in Your First Leadership Role': amzn.to/3TuOdcP

OTHER EPISODES YOU MIGHT LIKE

Episode 298 – How to Build Trust Fast as a New Leader
Episode 303 - Exec Communication: How to Speak So Senior Leaders Actually Listen

— WHAT’S NEXT? —

Learn more about our leadership development programs, coaching and workshops at archova.org.

Grab your copy of Ramona's best-selling book 'The Confident & Competent New Manager: How to Rapidly Rise to Success in Your First Leadership Role': amzn.to/3TuOdcP

Want to better understand your leadership style and patterns? Take our free quiz to discover your Manager Archetype and learn how to play to your strengths and uncover your blind spots: archova.org/quiz

Are you in your first manager role and don't want to mess it up? Watch our FREE Masterclass and discover the 4 shifts to become a leader people love to work for: archova.org/masterclass

Love the podcast and haven’t left a review yet? All you have to do is go to ramonashaw.com/itunes and to our Spotify Page, and give your honest review. Thanks for your support of this show!

If this episode inspired you in some way, take a screenshot of you listening on your device and post it to your Instagram Stories, and tag me @ramona.shaw.leadership or DM me on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/ramona-shaw

* Disclaimer: Shownotes may contain affiliate links. That means that I am awarded a small commission for purchases made through them, at no added cost to you.

How to Give Your Manager Feedback (Without Damaging the Relationship) (Ep.305)