Mgmt Tip of the Day: Small Talk with the Boss

Having the chance to talk with someone high up in your organization can be a great opportunity to share your ideas and gain exposure. But it can also be nerve wracking – what if you say the wrong thing? Here are three tips for preparing for your next chat with a head honcho:

1. Do your homework. Find out what the senior team’s priorities are. Work out a few key points about your projects or career as they relate to what senior leaders care about now.

2. Be brief. Once in front of the senior leader,make your key points succinctly.

3. Read the situation. If the senior leader is not interested,thank her for her time and move on. How you behave is more important than what you say. Yammering on signals a lack of self-awareness.

– Today’s Management Tip was adapted from Tips for Making Small Talk With Bigwigs by John Baldoni.