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- Wise Words -
Yes, ask your manager questions. Just don't put them on the spot - too much!
by stefan zahariev

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For both Early Stage Professionals (“ESPs”) or those at mid-career level it can be challenging to question your manager’s ideas and views.  That said it is often worth doing this as you will have a different view and as you are likely closer to the project your view may even be the right one!  
 
As I have progressed through my career (I am about 6 years into it) I have already had a variety of managers and all have had different personalities. This is no surprise; we are all different.  We are all human beings from different backgrounds with a variety of professional skills and life experiences.    Because of these differences I have found that there is a thin line when questioning a superior as you can offend them if not done right! 
 
However, if you do it right, it will help you succeed as you will be able to build a better relationship with your manager as he will appreciate your eagerness to do the right thing.  You will also end up expanding your knowledge too.
 
I use two different approaches when working with my managers: open ended and funnel questions.  Don’t worry there won’t be a ton more jargon here, I promise!
 
I hope you find my experience useful…
 
Open-ended questions
In personal and business life, while we all want meaningful answers, it is not always black and white and this is why open-ended questions are useful.  They help us understand the grey. 
 
First off, here’s what an open-ended question is, it is one that is not answered by a yes or no.  You may ask “can you explain why our company is focused on the new product strategy?”.  The answers are likely to contain many words where the person talking will be pulling on their knowledge, expertise and experience.
 
By asking these questions you could help your superior think twice about the project, to mentally review his decision or even discover new ideas and possible solutions.  By receiving something different from the usual yes or no we could really contribute to the outcome of a current work situation.
 
Why I like Open Ended Questions
Looking at my professional experience, I had the privilege to work with the two types of people. The ones that were extremely number and results driven and the second type are those trying to understand the bigger picture by taking the time to answer the open-ended questions. Like many of us, I am looking for the meaningfulness in my day to day work and I truly enjoy working with people who have demonstrated positive attitude against open-ended questions.
 
Using open-ended questions with my manager has also helped me improve my communication skills, which led to better sales experience and significant improvement when trying to understand my customer needs. Taking the time to think and prepare an answer has often led to more creative situations that later developed better outcome for my manager and me.

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Funnel questions
Asking the wrong question will often lead to the wrong answer. Mastering asking and getting “the right answer” back is a skill that I am always trying to improve.
 
Sometimes you might check with your superior if he has taken the right decision by funneling the questions you are going to ask. The best way to explain funnel questions is that it is like extracting information by drawing with a series of questions.  Each question gets more and more detailed as you go further down the funnel.  The tactic of funnel questions contains multiple closed-end questions that will add additional context to your final question. If you disagree with the decision taken this might be a powerful way to express your opinion and help your superior realise that there might be a different solution.

Using the funnel questions tactic with your superior might be tricky. Managers will often not like the idea of being asked multiple questions regarding their decision. They might feel put on the spot and not respected for their knowledge and expertise. Therefore, you should consider all the current factors you have before going down this route.
 
I only use funnel questions in one-to-one situations.  For example, in a work conversation over drinks or during your weekly one to one with your manager.  Funnel questions might be harmful for your relationship if being asked in front of a wider group of people as your manager could consider this as a threat for his professional appearance.  When used sparingly and in the right setting they can help show your manager how you are focused on the detail which will of course lead to stronger relationship and trust between you and your superior.

Ask questions, but also think about this…
Questioning and debating is a must for a healthy relationship with your manager.  That said if you get to the point, even after getting into the detail, where you disagree with the outcome keep these three things in mind.  It’s what I try to do:
  • Respect and understand that your manager probably has many more years of experience than you and he might be taking the right decision even if you don't really see all the practical reasons behind.
  • Your manager will have the bigger picture and/or access to additional information that you might not be seeing such company long terms plans, upcoming announcements, etc. which could change the recommendation you think is right.
  • You will experience situations where some questions cannot be asked, which might be a little frustrating, but go with it.  The more experienced and senior you become, the less this should happen.
 
Final thought
My experience though is that you should always do your best, try and question every decision taken within a professional environment but also keep up and follow the professional work ethics. You will be surprised about the positive outcomes, ideas and challenges you will face which will of course arm you with a new arsenal of professional skills and improved relationships.  This will all serve you well during your career growth and is why you should (almost!) always question your manager!

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For more on the importance of asking questions see Miriam Gilbert's column "The Meaning in Why".

More from Stefan: "Change is a certainty. Embrace it"


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Stefan Zahariev is Senior Commercial Manager of Marketplace at Skyscanner, the leading metasearch and travel agency.  He is currently based in London. 

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In the first 5 years or so of your career?  Want actionable career advice?  Buy Early Stage Professional: starting off right, the no nonsense professional skills book designed so that everyone can succeed in the workplace! 


More Wise Words...

Achieve: Focus on Results
​
Achieve: Leading from the Start
Achieve: Small is BIG
Achieve: Take Action
Career Management: Annual Review. A "How To"
Career Management: Annual Review. As Career Plan
Career Management: Choosing a Mentor
Career Management: Careers Happen
Career Management: Career Journey
Career Management: Mentorship Explained
​
Career Management: Post Graduate Degrees
Career Management: Promotion Frustration 
Career Management: Moving up by moving out
Career Management: Selecting Your Company
Career Management: Understand Yourself
Finances: Retirement Saving (1)
Finances: Retirement Saving (2)
Hindsight: Balance the short- with the long-term
​Hindsight: Embrace learning and your manager
Hindsight: Focus at Work
Hindsight: Millennial Reflections
Hindsight: Regrets: Time, Money & Pride
​Hindsight: Take Advice Sparingly
Hindsight: Take a Career Mulligan
​
Hindsight: Transition from College
Hindsight: Winning Nicely
Hindsight: Work hard, network, be honest. Have fun too!
Managing Up: Manage Up to Move Up
Managing Up: Manager As Partner
Managing Up: New Manager
Managing Up: Questions for your manager
Managing Up: Secret Skills for Managing Up
​
People & Teamwork: Be A Giver
​
People & Teamwork: LinkedIn As Networking
People & Teamwork: Networking Hacks
People & Teamwork: Networking as a Relationship
People & Teamwork: Networking Simplified
People & Teamwork: Teamwork As Leadership
Speedbumps: Chutes & Ladders
​
Speedbumps: Laid Off? Take A Breath
Speedbumps: Layoffs. The Afterlife
Speedbumps: Owning Mistakes
Work Life: Work Culture. America vs. UK
Work Life: Ask Why
Work Life: Be Yourself. Be Genuine
​
Work Life: Browned Out?
Work Life: Business Travel Guide
Work Life: Calendar Management
Work Life: Difficult Situations
Work Life: Focus on Fiyah!
​Work Life: Ghosting
​
Work Life: Help the Early Stage Professionals
Work Life: International Remote Working
Work Life: Pre-Vacation Checklist
Work Life: Smartphones & The Office
​Work Life: Start-Up Glamor
Work Life: Stress Management
Work Life: Take a Walk
​
Work Life: They Quit
Work Life: Unlimited Vacation
Work Life: Welcome the Newbies
Work Life: "Work" from Home

Crushing It @ Work

What Time Should I Start? 
What If I am Running Late? 
Taking Vacation
Sick Days 
Working Outside Office Hours
​
How to prepare for One/Ones
Making Meetings on Time 
Business Presentations 
Social Media, Personal Email and Hanging Out on the Web
Give it Six to Nine Months to Feel @Home
Be Your-professional-self
Staying Positive

Job Search Must Do's

Resume
The Application Letter 
​
The Free Conundrum: Should You Take an Unpaid Internship?
Informational Interviews 
Taking a Shortcut: Using Your Network 
Dealing with a Low GPA
​Responding to Recruiters
The Job Interview
Interview Questions
Questions You Should Ask
Simulations 
Interviews with Other Applicants
Dealing with References
Negotiating Your Salary
How to Resign (if you already have a job)
​
The First Week
You Don't Get the Job: Getting Feedback
​Keeping Motivated Through the Search

USA Today Columns by Fergus Mellon

How to get started on LinkedIn: Do this, not that
Warning: Avoid smartphone shame at work.  Keep them out of sight
To succeed, be a Giver in the workplace, not a Taker
4 ghoulish personality pitfalls to steer clear of at the office
​
How to coach today's not so entitled Millennials as they join the rat race

Crushing IT

Money

Library

WISE WORDS

Bureaucracy

Copyright © 2016 - 2020
  • Home
  • Getting a job
    • Must Do's - Resume
    • Must Do's - Application Letter
    • Must Do's - Internships
    • Groundwork - Informational Interviews
    • Groundwork - Your Network
    • Groundwork - GPA Issues
    • Groundwork - Recruiters
    • Dealing with Rejection - Feedback
    • Dealing with Rejection - Keeping Motivated
    • Closing the Deal - The Interview
    • Closing the Deal - Interview Q's
    • Closing the Deal - Your Questions
    • Closing the Deal - Simulations
    • Closing the Deal - Group Interviews
    • Closing the Deal - References
    • Signing On - Salary Negotiation
    • Signing On - How to Resign
    • Signing On - First Week
  • Crushing It
    • The Hours - What Time Should I Start
    • The Hours - What If I Am Running Late?
    • The Hours - Taking Vacation
    • The Hours - Sick Days
    • The Hours - Working Outside Office Hours
    • Professional Skills - One/Ones
    • Professional Skills- Making Meetings on Time
    • Professional Skills - Business Presentations
    • Professional Skills - Social Media, Personal Email
    • A Level Head - Feeling @ Home
    • A Level Head - Be YourProfessionalSelf
    • A Level Head- Staying Positive
  • Wise Words
    • Achieve - Focus on the Results
    • Achieve - Leading from the Start
    • Achieve - Showcase Your Work
    • Achieve - Small is BIG
    • Achieve - Take Action
    • Achieve - Your New Job. A Plan
    • Career Management - Annual Review
    • Career Management - Annual Review Feedback Meeting
    • Career Management - Annual Review: How to Guide
    • Career Management - Career Contentment
    • Career Management - Careers Happen
    • Career Management - Career Journey
    • Career Management - Choosing a Mentor
    • Career Management - Discomfort Is Good
    • Career Management - Freelancing and Employment Gaps
    • Career Management - Mentally Healthy Choices
    • Career Management - Mentorship Explained
    • Career Management - Post Graduate Degrees
    • Career Management - Promotion Frustration
    • Career Management - Promotions. Move out to move up
    • Career Management - Selecting Your Company
    • Career Management - Understand Yourself
    • Finances - Preparing for a Downturn
    • Finances - Retirement Saving (1)
    • Finances - Retirement Saving (2)
    • Hindsight - Balance the Short- with Long -term
    • Hindsight - Embrace Learning & Your Manager
    • Hindsight - Focus at Work
    • Hindsight - Millennial Reflections
    • Hindsight - Regrets: Time, Money & Pride
    • Hindsight - Take a Career Mulligan
    • Hindsight - Take Advice Sparingly
    • Hindsight - Transition from College
    • Hindsight - Winning Nicely
    • Hindsight - Work Hard. Be Honest. Have Fun
    • Managing Up - Manager as Partner
    • Managing Up - Manage Up to Move Up
    • Managing Up - Mastering Your Manager
    • Managing Up - New Manager
    • Managing Up - Questions For Your Manager
    • Managing Up - Secret Skills of Managing Up
    • Managing Up - Yes Power
    • People & Teamwork - Be a Giver
    • People & Teamwork - Collaboration is Power
    • People & Teamwork - First Time Manager
    • People & Teamwork - LinkedIn as Networking
    • People & Teamwork - Networking Hacks
    • People & Teamwork - Networking as Relationship
    • People & Teamwork - Networking Simplified
    • People & Teamwork - Reputations Travel
    • People & Teamwork - Teamwork as Leadership
    • Sliding Doors - Decision Paths
    • Sliding Doors - Success Requires Luck
    • Speed Bumps - Chutes & Ladders
    • Speed Bumps - Layoffs & Survivors Guilt
    • Speed Bumps - Laid Off? Take a Breath
    • Speed Bumps - Layoffs. The After Life
    • Speed Bumps - Owning Mistakes
    • Work Life - American Work Culture
    • Work Life - Ask Why
    • Work Life - Be Yourself. Be Genuine
    • Work Life - Browned Out?
    • Work Life - Business Travel Guide
    • Work Life - Calendar Management
    • Work Life - Change is Certain
    • Work Life - Difficult Situations
    • Worklife - Focus on Fiyah
    • Work Life - Ghosting
    • Work Life - Help the Early Stage Professionals
    • Work Life- International Remote Working
    • Work Life - In the Zoom
    • Work Life - Mom Skills
    • Work Life - Office As A Stage
    • Work Life - Office Ghouls
    • Work Life - Pre Vacation Checklist
    • Work Life - Returning to Work
    • Work Life - Smartphones & The Office
    • Work Life - Speak Up
    • Work Life - Stage Fright
    • Work Life - Startup Glamour
    • Work Life - Stress Management
    • Work Life - Take A Walk
    • Work Life - Tasks We Hate
    • Work Life - They Quit
    • Work Life - Unlimited Vacation
    • Worklife - Vacation Overview
    • Work Life - Welcome the Newbies
    • Work Life - "Work" From Home
  • Money
    • Money - The Basics
    • Money - Saving for Retirement
    • Money - Retirement Saving
  • Library
    • Book Reviews
    • Webinar Hub
    • USA Today Columns
    • Buy Early Stage Professional
    • Bureaucracy
  • Help Center
    • Annual Reviews
    • Career Speed Bumps
    • Managing Up
    • Promotions & Career Planning
    • Stress Management