The question “How are things going?” from a manager can feel like a simple check-in, but it often carries more weight. The ambiguity of the question can leave you wondering what your boss wants to know. This article provides a framework to help you respond with confidence and purpose.
Understand the Intent Behind the Question
When a manager asks how things are going, there is a deeper purpose behind the inquiry. They are conducting a quick, informal assessment of several factors at once. The question serves as an efficient way to gauge your progress on projects, identify emerging problems, and get a sense of your workload and morale.
Your response gives them a snapshot of your current state and whether you have your responsibilities under control. A manager is looking to see if you are engaged, encountering obstacles they are unaware of, or have capacity for additional tasks. They seek assurance that work is moving forward.
General Principles for a Strong Response
Regardless of whether your update is positive or negative, a few principles ensure your response is well-received. Take a few moments each day to mentally note your priorities and recent accomplishments. This allows you to have a substantive answer ready.
Brevity and respect for your manager’s time are important. Structure your response to be concise and maintain a positive, proactive tone. Focusing your language on actions and outcomes demonstrates that you are solution-oriented.
Responding When Things Are Going Well
When work is progressing smoothly, provide a confident and specific update. Avoid generic responses like “everything is great.” Instead, connect your progress to tangible outcomes. For example, “I’ve finalized the data for the quarterly review, and it looks like we’ve exceeded our target by 5%.” This specificity provides valuable information.
If a project’s positive results were a team effort, be sure to give credit to your colleagues. Mentioning how “the team was able to get the client presentation drafted ahead of schedule” shows you are a team player. This approach highlights both your competence and ability to work well with others.
Responding When You Are Facing Challenges
This scenario is an opportunity to demonstrate problem-solving skills and build trust. When you encounter an obstacle, be direct but constructive. Frame the issue with a clear statement of the problem followed by your intended action.
For instance, instead of saying, “This report is impossible because the data is a mess,” try a proactive approach. Say, “I’ve encountered an issue with the data integrity for the quarterly report. My plan is to spend two hours cleaning it up, but I may need to consult the data team if discrepancies persist.” This shows you have taken ownership and are seeking solutions.
If you need your manager’s help, be specific in your request for advice, a decision, or resources. Presenting options shows you have thought through the situation. For example, “To meet the deadline, we can either simplify the report’s scope or request an extra day for a more thorough analysis. I would appreciate your guidance.”
Responding When Things Are Neutral or Routine
When your work is in a routine phase, avoid a simple “everything is fine” response, as this is a missed opportunity to show engagement. Even a standard week involves priorities worth mentioning briefly. This assures your manager that you are on top of your responsibilities and focused on what is next.
A better approach is to provide a concise summary of your current focus. For example, “Things are moving along steadily. I’m focused on finishing the monthly expense reports today and will start prep for the upcoming audit tomorrow.” This brief but informative answer confirms you are managing duties effectively and planning ahead.
What to Avoid Saying
Certain responses can undermine your professionalism and create a negative impression. To maintain a constructive relationship with your manager, avoid the following behaviors:
- Being dishonest or intentionally hiding problems. This can erode trust quickly when the issue eventually comes to light.
- Complaining about a problem without having thought about potential solutions, which can make you appear unconstructive.
- Blaming colleagues for setbacks. This suggests a lack of ownership and can contribute to a negative team environment.
- Giving overly vague or one-word answers like “fine” or “busy,” as they provide no real information and can be interpreted as disinterest.
- Using the conversation as an opportunity to dump all your frustrations or anxieties, which is unprofessional.