Scott WatsonExecutive Coach for Board Level Leaders, Summit Consulting and Training Ltd · Executive Coach for Time-Poor C-Suite Leaders Who Need Results - Fast | Board Level Facilitator | Emotional Intelligence Expert |

Influencing Up Without Ruining The Relationship With Your Boss

9 Jul 2026 · 1 min

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Scott Watson shares how to give feedback to your boss without damaging the relationship. Start with "May I share an alternative perspective that might be helpful?" then describe what you see, express your concern, and offer a recommendation. Authority bias stops junior people from speaking up, but this structure lets you add value without seeming confrontational.

Chapters

Want to challenge your boss without damaging the relationship? Influencing Up is about balance, respect, and contribution. Try this on a situation: May I share an alternative perspective that might be helpful? It's that simple. You're not opposing, you're helping, you're adding value. Then structure it this way: What you see and why you see it that way. What you're concerned about and why. And what you recommend and why this is your recommendation. That's not risky. That's not challenging. That's trust building. That's personal leadership. Often leaders don't hear feedback from more junior members of the team because authority bias, or it's not my place, or what if I do? Forget all that for now. Just follow this simple template and see how things progress.