"People Are Not Persuaded by Logic": How to Talk to Your Boss

How to communicate with your boss (or not).

There were lots of takeaways today from Kristin Gilger’s session on Managing Your Boss, clearly a session that many of us really needed.  Here are a few things that I’ll be putting into practice this year.

Since we have a new principal, it’s going to take me a bit of time to fill out the “Twenty-One Things You Should Know About Your Boss” worksheet.  But I love the idea of inviting our new principal to the journalism classroom for a “getting to know you” session.  The whole newspaper needs to build up a relationship with her, and we should begin fostering that right away.  I may change the questions a bit, but there were certainly some that would work.

I also loved the idea of a 15-5 report, a monthly report that takes 15 minutes to write and five to read.  With so many people on staff, it’s hard for a principal to know your accomplishments unless you share them – so do so!

Another great point Gilger made was “To get regard, you must give great regard.” Respect, respect, respect.  It’s got to be mutual, and we’ve got to make it evident, especially when gearing up for a difficult conversation.

I would also add that not only do we want the big four qualities (competence, communication, compassion and courage) from our bosses, but our students want it from us.  Though our student leaders have tremendously important roles in our journalism classrooms, it’s up to us as advisers to model good leadership.

Jessica Nassau
Rockville High School
Rockville, Md.