Are there times when you feel you need to complain to your supervisor about the work that needs to be done? If so, are you hesitant to make the complaint because you are afraid of actually complaining? Well, there could be a simple solution to this issue. You might have to reframe your complaint to make it a professional concern. That will undoubtedly get your supervisor’s attention.
Reframe the Concern
If you as stressed out at work and worried about making deadlines, keeping the customer happy, or being disciplined for not completing work, there is a way to alleviate the issue. First, identify the biggest problem you face. Is it stress levels, a particular client, or lack of direction that causes the issue? Once you find that main cause, turn the personal issue into a professional concern. This concern, maybe about meeting client expectations, achieving a certain goal, or something else, can grab your supervisor’s attention. Why? Because it is no longer about you, but rather the work at hand. The bottom line to remember is that you need to ensure you’re work is completed – that’s your supervisor’s main concern.
Offer a Solution
Once you identify the issue, figure out how to present it to your supervisor. Bring evidence of your claims, if possible. Finally, once you have a sit down conversation with your supervisor, offer them a solution to the issue (and, preferably, more than one solution). To solutions will vary based on your company, industry, project, and workload, but could include a variety of possibilities. These include bringing on another team member, cross-training a coworker, reshuffling responsibilities, or dropping another project/client. It is unlikely your supervisor will like any of these options. Offering multiple solutions can help them see this is a real issue and offers them some choices. This can be key if they have to present the issue to their superiors as well.
Follow Up
Once you have identified the issue and presented it to your supervisor along with some potential solutions, don’t let it linger. Leave the meeting or email chain with a certain goal in mind. Whether that’s a follow up in at the end of the week or presentation to higher management or something completely different, know where it ends up. This offers you peace of mind will also providing concrete feedback.
Not every issue will be solved using this guide, but at least it can help start the conversation. The key is to be open with you supervisor about your needs and what is expected. From there, work as a team to determine next steps.
