Keeping people updated keeps them off your back.

Don’t wait for your manager to ask for an update before you share one. If you stay silent, your manager might have to guess how things are going. Instead, share updates as soon as you have new information.

Take charge of your work. Rather than waiting for a scheduled meeting, try sending short, bulleted updates about your main projects. Let your manager know what you’ve finished, what you’re working on, and where you could use some help. This makes things clearer for your manager and shows you’re responsible.

Being proactive also means letting your manager know about problems before they get serious. If a deadline is coming up fast or you notice a technical problem, speak up early. When you bring up an issue, try to suggest a possible solution, even if it’s just a first thought. This shows you’re on top of things.

Put these approaches into practice.

Let’s look at practical ways to share updates, manage your work, and spot problems before they grow.