The Secret to Being Heard (Especially By Busy Bosses)

We’ve all had this experience.

You’re trying to share something important with your manager — but halfway through, you can see their attention drifting.
You leave the conversation feeling unheard.
They leave feeling overwhelmed.

It’s a common disconnect, especially when you’re working with senior leaders who operate at a different altitude.

Here’s the reality most people miss:
a senior leader’s role isn’t to understand every detail of your work.

They’re not interested in the “what.”
They’re interested in the “so what.”

Their job is to make decisions and move the organisation forward. And the more you drown them in details, the more it signals that you’re stuck in execution mode — not thinking like a strategic partner.

Managing upwards isn’t about reporting tasks.
It’s about presenting solutions.

That’s how you elevate your credibility and build trust.

The Problem: The Firehose of Details

Think of it like a firehose.

When you spray your manager with every piece of information, they can’t absorb it all. It’s overwhelming — and it makes it harder for them to see the bigger picture.

Early in your career, focusing on execution makes sense.
But as you grow, your role evolves:

• From executor
  
• To unifier, bringing people, processes, and priorities together
  
• To leader, shaping strategy and decisions
  

At each stage, the way you communicate must evolve too.

The Real Power Play: Clarity

One of the fastest ways to elevate how you’re perceived at work — especially by senior leaders — is learning how to translate details into insights.

That’s the shift from execution to influence.

Here’s what that looks like in practice:

• Detail:
  “We ran three campaigns this quarter across four markets.”
  
• Insight:
  “Brand awareness increased by 14% in Singapore and Japan.”
  
• Strategic Recommendation:
  “Based on this, I’d recommend continuing the current strategy, increasing investment in Indonesia, or reallocating resources to scale in our top-performing markets. I’d love your view on which lever to prioritise.”
  

When you show up with options and a point of view, you signal that you’re a decision-maker — not just a task-doer.

Why This Works

Clarity is a form of kindness.

It respects your manager’s time and mental energy, and it makes it easier for them to support your work and advocate for you.

It also helps to understand how your manager prefers to process information.
Some leaders want data.
Others prefer visuals, stories, or straight-to-the-point summaries.

Adapting your communication style doesn’t dilute your message — it strengthens it.

Final Thoughts

No matter your industry or title, being able to manage up with clarity and confidence is a non-negotiable leadership skill.

You don’t need to do more to be seen.
You need to build the meta skills that help you be seen, heard, and valued.

I break this down further in my Career Power Move Playbook.

Over to you:
What’s one challenge you’re currently facing at work?

Rooting for you,
Angel Kilian
Founder | Career inFocus