Here's how you can navigate your boss's lack of understanding or appreciation for your volunteering work.

1 Assess Impact

Before approaching your boss, take stock of how your volunteering affects your job performance. If you're managing both effectively, you have a strong case for the positive impact of your volunteering work. Highlight skills like time management, leadership, and teamwork that volunteering fosters, which are transferable to your professional role. Being prepared with concrete examples of how these skills have enhanced your work will help your boss see the value of your extracurricular commitment.

2 Open Dialogue

Initiating an open dialogue with your boss is crucial. Schedule a meeting to discuss your volunteering and its importance to you. Approach the conversation with confidence and be prepared to explain how your volunteering experiences contribute to your professional development. Emphasize that these activities can bring fresh perspectives and skills to your role. A clear and honest conversation can often alleviate misunderstandings and help your boss see your volunteering in a new light.

3 Set Boundaries

It's important to set clear boundaries between your work and volunteering commitments. Reassure your boss that your work responsibilities take precedence and that you're fully committed to your job. Explain how you manage your time and ensure that your volunteering doesn't interfere with work deadlines or quality. By demonstrating that you can balance both, you'll help mitigate any concerns about your dedication to your professional role.

4 Share Successes

When your volunteering leads to a success that's relevant to your job, don't hesitate to share it with your boss. Whether it's a project you led or a skill you've developed, showcasing these achievements can help your boss understand the benefits of your extracurricular involvement. It's an opportunity to demonstrate how volunteering makes you a more valuable employee and can contribute positively to the company.

5 Offer Insights

Volunteering can provide unique insights that could benefit your workplace. Offer to share what you've learned with your team or boss. Whether it's about team-building, community engagement, or innovative solutions to common problems, these insights can demonstrate the tangible benefits of your volunteering work. This approach not only shows that you're thinking about how to improve the workplace but also reinforces the value of your volunteering experiences.

6 Seek Support

If you're still facing challenges, consider seeking support from colleagues or HR who understand the importance of volunteering. They might offer advice or advocate on your behalf. Sometimes, having an ally in the workplace can make all the difference in gaining the understanding and appreciation you seek from your boss for your volunteering efforts.