You're ushering in an opportunity to travel alone with your leader, and it's a valuable moment to build a deep connection with your leader. Whether you're a newcomer to the workplace or a seasoned professional, time spent with leaders is an opportunity for you to showcase your talent and worth. In this post, I'll share some advice on how to have a meaningful, comprehensive, and engaging chat with leaders.
Stories have always been one of people's favorite ways to communicate, and it has the ability to arouse people's interest and resonance. Imagine you're on a business trip with your leader, sitting on a plane or waiting in a hotel lobby for the meeting to begin. This is an ideal time to build a deeper connection with leadership. Here are some ways to help you have a more comprehensive, detailed, and engaging chat with your leader at this special time.
Understand the purpose of your trip: Before you travel, make sure you fully understand the purpose and objectives of your trip. This allows you to ask questions related to projects, tasks, and expectations in the chat to ensure that you and the leader have a shared understanding. For example, you can ask your leader questions about the project's background, goals, and strategic implications for the company. Not only does this demonstrate your expertise, but it also gives you a better understanding of the expectations and needs of your leadership.
Show interest and concern: Show interest in a conversation with your leader on a topic they care about. This can be a topic about a work project or a topic about a leader's personal interests. For example, you can ask leaders what they think of the industry lately, or what they like to do in their spare time. By showing concern for leadership, you can build a more intimate and open relationship.
Ask questions and suggestions: When communicating with leaders, don't be afraid to ask questions or make suggestions. This shows your initiative and dedication to your work. But make sure your questions and suggestions are constructive and based on good knowledge and research. For example, you can ask questions about the progress of the project or make suggestions to improve the workflow. This demonstrates your critical thinking and active participation in your work.
Listen and learn: During the chat, it is important to listen to the leader's perspective and opinions. Respect their opinions and learn from them. This will demonstrate your humility and respect for your leadership, while also gaining valuable knowledge and experience. For example, when leaders talk about their own challenges and successes in their careers, you can listen carefully and learn from them. This will not only deepen your relationship, but also enhance your career.
Maintain your career: Maintain your career and professionalism despite traveling alone with your leader. Avoid personal or sensitive topics and follow the company's rules and policies. When communicating with your leader, try to be neutral and avoid overly emotional or personal words. This ensures that your chats are always professional and constructive.
In addition to the above suggestions, there are a few additional ways to make your chat more comprehensive, detailed, and engaging:
Share your stories and experiences: In a chat with your leader, share what you've achieved and learned at work. By telling your story of overcoming difficulties and achieving success, you can capture the attention of leaders and demonstrate your abilities and worth. Stories like this can spark your leaders' interest in you and prompt them to learn more about your talents.
Explore common interests: In addition to work topics, try to explore the interests that your leader and you share. This can provide an opportunity for a closer and relaxed relationship between you. For example, if you know a leader who is interested in a sport, you can talk about recent match results or some interesting events. Such chats can help you build a more intimate and friendly relationship.
Ask for feedback and suggestions: At the end of the chat, proactively seek feedback and suggestions from your leader. This demonstrates your desire for personal growth and shows your willingness to be mentored and improved. You can ask your boss what advice they have for your job performance or how you can better use your strengths. This feedback can help you improve yourself and build a closer relationship with your leaders.
Traveling alone with your leader is an important opportunity to deepen your relationship with your leader and demonstrate your abilities and value. With the above suggestions, you can chat with your leaders in a more comprehensive, detailed and engaging way. Remember, story-based communication can grab people's attention and make your chat more interesting. In a chat with a leader, show your expertise, listening skills, and passion for your work, believing that you will succeed on your business trip.