How to explain I didn't communicate well with my previous employer?

Question

So I've been employed at a "real job" for approximately three months, and have come to the conclusion I don't communicate well with my employer. It's not that we're not civil, or don't like each other (most of the time) it's just that my productivity at this place is severely hampered by my lack of ability to communicate with my boss.

A quick example - He asked me take an envelope of checks to the bank for deposit. I asked him if the deposit slips were filled out already and he said yes. I only heard from him later he felt I was trying to subordinate and second guess him (I was just checking if I needed to do anything other than hand the nice bank lady the envelope).

This unfortunately wasn't an isolated incident, and we just don't communicate our thoughts and intentions to each other very well. I've never had this problem with any of my part time employers, and he's never really had this problem with any of his previous employees, so I'm led to believe it's just something between us that doesn't work.

I'd like to go looking for a job where I don't feel like I'm walking on eggshells with my boss 100% of the time, and am free to ask questions when I need further info, however I feel if I go job hunting now, the first thing a recruiter is gonna see is my first job after college lasted three months and throw my resume in the trash. If I do get lucky enough to get an interview, how can I explain this in a way that doesn't make me look like a hot-headed upstart?

Additionally, I don't want to leave this job unprofessionally, I work well with my other regular coworker, and enjoy the work. How can I tell my boss I feel our communication issues are getting in the way of my job satisfaction and his bottom line?

Answer 1

It looks like the communications style you expect from your boss is different from what you're getting.

Whenever any of my bosses told me to do something, the first thing I'd check is whether all the pieces are in place. Sometimes, I have to depend on the boss's assurance that the key pieces are in place, and I explicitly seek this assurance, as I could be in for a significant waste of time if they weren't. They never took my due diligence questions as an affront because they understood that I was doing my job.

For whatever reason, your questions automatically come to him as casting doubt on his competence and judgment, which I am pretty sure is not your intent. I am getting the feeling that his definition of you doing your job is much narrower than you expect, because he is treating each of your questions as some kind of breach of boundary.

1. I'd say try prefacing your due diligence question with "Due diligence question from me: did you sign the slips?" That way, you're also telling him the context of the question, which is that you are making sure.

2. If you have a question because you don't know, preface it with "I am asking this question because I don't know"

3. Since your boss is apt to think the worst of your questions, review why you would ask a question like "Why do we go with X?" before you say anything. If you are curious, say "I am curious, why do we do with X?" If you are baffled, say that you are baffled. If you are asking the question because you have a suggestion, say that you have a suggestion, then make the suggestion.

4. Apparently, your boss is defensive about how he runs his business and he keeps things close to the vest. If my perception is correct, try limiting your questions to an as-you-need-to-know-to-do-your-job basis. Don't ask questions that might sound like you're prying. If you do, he'll come flying at you like a bat out of hell.

It is unfortunate but you will occasionally run into similar individuals throughout your career. You might as well learn now how to manage communication with them.

@DavidK adds: "Another way to change how you word questions is to shift the focus to you. Instead of asking "Did you fill out the slips?" ask "Do I need to fill out the slips?" or "Do you need me to fill out the slips?" I think that this is less likely to come across as second-guessing him than just needing to understand your job."

It's a great suggestion, but I'll add that tone and body language are very important. If you ask "Do I need to fill out the slips" while raising an eyebrow and looking at him quizzically, all hell will break lose :) In this particular case, given how close the boss keeps things to the vest, I am doubtful that the OP has enough info to fill them.

Answer 2

Have you tried discussing this with your boss? It sounds like you could repair this relationship rather than abandoning it, and even if it doesn't work it will look better that you tried.

You've expressed the issue very well when you say "I feel our communication issues are getting in the way of my job satisfaction and his bottom line" - this would be a good starting point for a conversation. Don't get me wrong, it won't be easy to broach this subject but once you do you will either have a fruitful conversation, or know it can't be fixed. Either way, you're better off.

I would start by having a chat, in a conference room or somewhere else private. I'd say something like "I'm concerned that my communication style isn't meshing with yours, and I'd like to know how I can improve to make things easier for both of us". Be prepared for the conversation, by having 4 or 5 examples of when communication could have been better, and how you feel things might be improved.

Answer 3

Just from your description of the deposit-slip question, I expect that your boss is the problem. His reaction to your innocuous question is bizarre, and it has nothing to do with the age difference. The age difference only matters because he feels secure in his position above you.

I doubt that you are not the only one who can't communicate with him. You should discreetly talk to a trustworthy colleague about this incident. I expect that everyone finds him difficult. If you want to stay in this company, you need to cultivate friendships outside his organization.