How to Understand Your Manager’s Priorities and Communication Style

First things first—I’ve been there.

I remember what it was like when I started my first job. I had no idea what my manager actually wanted or how to make a good impression. I thought the best way to prove myself was to say yes to everything—every task, every last-minute request, every extra project that came my way.

I didn’t want to seem lazy. I wanted to show initiative. So I nodded eagerly in meetings, jotted down assignments, and spent late nights trying to figure things out on my own. If my manager gave me work, it must mean it was important, right?

But here’s the thing—working hard isn’t the same as working smart.

One day, after pulling another late night on a project, I sent my manager an update, proud that I had completed everything. But instead of praise, she responded with:

"This is great, but I actually didn’t need this much detail. The key priority right now is [X]. Let’s focus on that instead."

That’s when it hit me—I had spent hours perfecting something that wasn’t even a top priority. I was working hard, but not in the right direction.

That’s when I realized:
✔️ It’s not about doing everything—it’s about doing the right things.
✔️ Managers don’t expect you to read their minds—but they do expect you to understand their priorities.
✔️ The best way to stand out isn’t just by working late—it’s by working in alignment with what actually matters.

So how do you figure out what your manager really cares about? How do you understand their leadership style and communication preferences when you’re brand new to the corporate world?

This guide is everything I wish someone had told me when I was starting out. Let’s dive in. 🚀

Understanding your manager’s priorities and communication style allows you to:

✔️ Align your work with what matters most to them
✔️ Present updates in a way they prefer
✔️ Anticipate their needs and build trust

Here’s a step-by-step approach to decode your manager’s leadership style and communication preferences.

1. Observe How They Communicate

Your manager’s communication style is the first clue into how they process information and make decisions.

Techniques to Try:

🔹 Study their emails: Are they brief and direct, or long and detailed?
🔹 Watch how they present in meetings: Do they use data, high-level vision, or execution-focused updates?
🔹 Notice how they respond to others: Do they ask “why” (big picture) or “how” (execution details)?

Example – Adapting to a Data-Driven Manager

👀 What You Notice:
Your manager always starts meetings by reviewing key performance indicators (KPIs) and asks "How are we measuring success?"

🚫 Bad Approach:
"I finished my project!"

✅ Better Approach
"Hey Lisa, I wrapped up the project and pulled some early data—so far, we’ve seen a 12% increase in engagement. I’ll keep tracking it over the next two weeks and send a full report. Let me know if you’d like additional metrics!"

🎯 Why this works:

• It delivers the result in numbers, which is what they care about.
• It anticipates their need for tracking progress over time.
• It ends with an offer to provide more details, showing proactivity.

2. Ask (But Do It Strategically)

If you’re unsure about your manager’s expectations, it’s okay to ask—just frame your question professionally to show initiative rather than uncertainty.

Techniques to Try:

🔹 Ask open-ended questions about team goals and priorities
🔹 Request feedback on what they value in updates
🔹 Offer to adjust your communication style based on their preferences

Example – Asking for Clarity Without Sounding Clueless

🚫 Bad Approach:
"What do you want me to do?"

✅ Better Approach:
"Hey Lisa, I want to make sure I’m aligned with team priorities and adding value. I know [big priority] is a major focus this quarter—how can I best contribute to supporting that goal?"

🎯 Why this works:

• It acknowledges company priorities.
• It positions you as proactive instead of waiting for instructions.
• It gives them a chance to guide you without micro-managing.

3. Learn from Their Feedback and Reactions

Your manager’s feedback—both what they praise and what they correct—tells you a lot about their expectations.

Techniques to Try:

🔹 Take note of the types of questions they ask frequently
🔹 Watch how they reframe your work when presenting to others
🔹 Adapt your updates based on what they seem to care about most

Example – Learning from Their Questions

👀 What You Notice:
Every time you give an update, your manager asks, “What’s the business impact?”

🚫 Bad Approach:
"We launched a new feature, and people like it!"

✅ Better Approach (Anticipating Their Needs):
"We launched the new feature last week, and initial feedback is positive—85% of users rated it helpful. Based on early trends, this could reduce churn by 10%, which supports our retention goals."

🎯 Why this works:

• It answers their most common question upfront.
• It connects your work to business priorities.
• It positions you as someone who understands broader company goals.

4. Watch How They Interact With Their Own Boss

Your manager has to "manage up" just like you do. Observing how they communicate with leadership will tell you what matters most to them.

Techniques to Try:

🔹 Pay attention to how they report to senior leadership
🔹 Look for patterns in how they frame successes and challenges
🔹 See what they emphasize most in high-stakes meetings

Example – Learning from Their Leadership Updates

👀 What You Notice:
In executive meetings, your manager frequently emphasizes cost efficiency and budget impact.

🚫 Bad Approach:
"I found a cool tool that costs $500 per month!"

✅ Better Approach (Aligning with Their Priorities):
"I found a tool that could automate our reporting. I know budget is a big focus, so I researched alternatives and found one that’s 40% cheaper but still meets our needs. Would you be open to reviewing a quick comparison?"

🎯 Why this works:

• You acknowledge their constraints.
• You show initiative by doing research.
• You position yourself as solutions-oriented.

5. Check Their Calendar and Priorities

A manager’s schedule often reveals their biggest priorities.

Techniques to Try:

🔹 See what meetings take up most of their time (e.g., are they focused on strategy, customers, or operations?)
🔹 Note if they’re constantly in executive meetings (means they care about high-level impact)
🔹 Identify busy vs. slow periods so you time your requests well

Example – Adapting to a Busy Manager

👀 What You Notice:
Your manager has back-to-back meetings all day.

🚫 Bad Approach:
Sending long emails that they don’t have time to read.

✅ Better Approach (Respecting Their Time):
"Hey Lisa, I know you’re packed with meetings today, so here’s a short summary of what you need to know about X [insert project]. Let me know if you’d like a deeper dive!"

🎯 Why this works:

• It acknowledges their time constraints.
• It prioritizes key points.
• It lets them choose how much detail they want.

6. Learn From Your Teammates

Your more experienced colleagues already know what works—learn from them.

Techniques to Try:

🔹 Observe how senior teammates communicate with your manager
🔹 Ask for tips on how to present updates effectively
🔹 Listen to how they summarize projects or make requests

Example – Getting Insider Advice

🚫 Bad Approach:
"Hey, how do I get [manager] to listen to me?"

✅ Better Approach (Seeking Guidance Professionally):
"Hey, I’m still learning the best way to keep Lisa updated. Have you found any approach that works well when sharing progress or ideas?"

🎯 Why this works:

• You sound curious and proactive.
• Your teammates will likely give insider knowledge that helps you communicate better.

Be Observant, Adaptable, and Proactive

You don’t need to have all the answers—you just need to be observant, ask smart questions, and adjust quickly.

By understanding your manager’s communication style and priorities, you’ll build trust, become a stronger team player, and stand out as someone who “gets it.”

hope this guide helps you.

if you find it valuable, DM me back your feedback, I'd love to hear.