You're navigating a Social Impact role. How do you effectively keep your boss informed and manage up?

Understanding personality/communication types is useful in building teams and meeting expectations. Different personality types can make communication challenging but underscore its importance even more. This also applies to leadership. I believe it's important for leaders to clearly share their communication references so it's less of a guessing game. They should also learn about the individual personalities on their team. It goes both ways.

Start by gaining a clear understanding of your boss's expectations and communication preferences. Discuss their priorities, preferred frequency of updates, and the level of detail they require. Knowing what your boss values most will help you tailor your communication to meet their needs effectively.

As a Retired Medical interpreter, of a Tier 1 Emergency Department, our leader, along with the team, had a foolproof system that included spreadsheets, and the use of a pre-arranged e-mail format (along with the use of known medical abbreviations) to maintain all interpreters within the loop of our patients’ condition to be briefed about what to expect. This way, our team leader also had the information to report to the Hospital’s Top Management of any needs, strengths, and weaknesses that needed to be addressed, to provide the level of care expected from an institution like the one I worked for.

Il est important d’anticiper les actions et mettre en place un système efficace de remontée d’information. En effet le rôle d’impact social inclut aussi le rôle de veille. En plus d’informer, il est important d’identifier les actions de sensibilisation à mener, proposer et mettre en œuvre celles qui seront validées car qui dit impact, dit changement de comportement et cela passe par la sensibilisation

Keep your boss in the loop! Share what you’re doing, what’s working, and what you’re learning. Show how your work helps the company reach its goals. This makes you look good and helps everyone understand the impact you’re making.

Provide regular, strategic updates that highlight key developments, progress, and challenges. Use concise, clear language and focus on the most critical information. Regular updates can be delivered through scheduled meetings, email summaries, or progress reports. Ensure that your updates are structured, focusing on what has been achieved, current priorities, and any support or decisions needed from your boss.

Qui dit mise à jour stratégique dit actualisation des données, suivi et élaboration de plans d’action. Être stratégique implique aussi être créatif dans les propositions qu’on fait

Proactively anticipate your boss's needs and concerns. Stay ahead by identifying potential issues before they arise and preparing solutions. This demonstrates your initiative and foresight, showing that you are thinking about the bigger picture. For example, if you foresee a funding challenge, suggest potential alternative funding sources or cost-saving measures.

Anticiper, prévenir et sensibiliser sont à mon avis les clés pour une mise en œuvre réussie. Anticiper et prévenir permettront de mettre en place des actions correctives qui pourraient servir la sensibilisation et donc l’impact serait le changement

When presenting challenges or problems, always offer potential solutions. This approach shows that you are solution-oriented and capable of handling issues independently. It also makes it easier for your boss to make informed decisions without being burdened with additional problem-solving.

Les problèmes poussent à plus de créativité et sont faits pour être résolus . Être orientés solution permet d’avoir plus d’impact

Foster a collaborative relationship with your boss by seeking their input and feedback regularly. Involve them in key decisions and ensure they feel engaged and valued. Effective collaboration also involves being receptive to their feedback and implementing it constructively. Regularly asking for their perspective can strengthen your working relationship.

La collaboration est la clé du succès dans cette nouvelle ère du digital et de la durabilité. Décloisonner, être transparent et éthique dans la relation avec le patron permettent de créer plus d’impact

Demonstrate your commitment to continuous learning and improvement. Stay informed about the latest trends and best practices in the social impact sector. Share relevant insights and knowledge with your boss to show that you are dedicated to enhancing your skills and contributing to the organization's success. Additionally, seek out professional development opportunities and apply new learnings to your role.