Requesting a Meeting with a Manager

meeting

A planned occasion when people come together to discuss something.

• I need to request a meeting with my manager.
• The meeting is scheduled for 10 AM tomorrow.
• He sent me a meeting invitation.

urgent

Requiring immediate action or attention.

• Is this an urgent matter?
• I have an urgent deadline to meet today.
• The client has an urgent request for the report.

❌ Asking for a meeting without stating the purpose.

✅ Briefly state the reason for the meeting, like 'I want to talk about my new project.'

A manager's time is valuable. Stating the purpose of the meeting helps them prepare and prioritize. It shows that you are respectful of their time and that the meeting will be productive.

❌ Not offering a specific time or method for scheduling.

✅ Suggest a specific time and offer to send a calendar invite, like 'How about 10 AM? I will send you an invite.'

This shows initiative and makes it easy for your manager to accept or suggest a new time. It moves the conversation forward and makes you seem organized and proactive.

scope

The range of a subject covered by a document, activity, or project.

• I have some questions about the project's scope.
• The scope of the project has changed since we started.
• We need to define the project's scope before we begin.

mindful

Conscious or aware of something; paying attention.

• She was very mindful of his busy schedule.
• It is important to be mindful of your tone of voice.
• He was mindful of the company's new policies.

❌ Being vague about the meeting's purpose.

✅ Be more specific about the meeting's purpose, like 'questions about the new project's scope.'

A specific purpose helps your manager prepare for the meeting and shows that you are organized. It also helps them to give you a more accurate and helpful answer.

❌ Not respecting your manager's time.

✅ Offer a time frame, like 'It shouldn't take more than 15 minutes,' to show that you're respectful of their schedule.

Managers are busy people. Stating the length of the meeting shows that you are being mindful of their time and that you are prepared to be concise and to the point. This is a key part of professional communication.

proactive

Creating or controlling a situation by causing something to happen rather than reacting to it after it has happened.

• She took a proactive approach to the new project.
• The manager praised his proactive thinking.
• A proactive mindset is crucial for a project manager.

agenda

A list of items to be discussed at a formal meeting.

• I'll send you an invitation with a brief agenda.
• The agenda for the meeting is very long.
• We need to stick to the agenda to stay on track.

❌ Asking for a meeting without any preparation.

✅ Show that you've already done some work by mentioning 'preliminary research' and 'emerged opportunities.'

An advanced professional is a problem-solver. By showing that you've already started the work and have identified key points for discussion, you demonstrate that you are a proactive and valuable employee, not just someone who needs to be told what to do.

❌ Not showing a clear purpose or goal for the meeting.

✅ State a clear purpose for the meeting, like 'to align on a few key points' or 'to ensure we make the most of our time.'

A clear purpose and agenda show that you are a strategic thinker and that the meeting will be productive. This builds trust and respect with your manager and shows that you are a high-level communicator.