Career Advice - Discussing Difficult Subjects At Work

Tips for Approaching Your Boss With a Sensitive Subject

Advice Seeker: Dear April,

I have a great job and a great boss, but I sometimes have trouble knowing exactly how to talk to my boss, especially about sensitive subjects. The time just never seems right and I hate making anyone uncomfortable. Do you have any advice for how I can approach my boss and talk with him about a sensitive subject?

Sincerely,

Sensitive Employee

April Masini's advice:

Dear Sensitive Employee,

It can be difficult talking to anyone about sensitive subjects, but even more so when it comes to talking with your boss. It's obviously not a good idea to upset your boss and you want to make things as comfortable as possible.

Tips for talking to your boss about sensitive subjects:

1. Determine why the subject is sensitive. It may be sensitive to you, but your boss may think it's just another subject of the day. It may be sensitive to your boyfriend or husband, but your boss could give a hoot about it's sensitivity rating. Determine if in fact it's actually a sensitive subject to you or to you and your boss or just to your boss. You may find it's not as sensitive as you thought it was.

2. Don't approach your boss with a sensitive subject in the middle of a meeting as he or she is about to go into a meeting or when he or she is busy. Make an appointment with your boss to talk.

3. Preface the conversation with your awareness that this is sensitive, and why you choose to discuss it with your boss. This gives your boss a moment to adjust to what's coming, and to understand that you know as well as he or she does that this is sensitive, so you're both on the same page.