Operate with potential benefits and numbers

A girl raises her hand and says:

— I have a great project idea, it’s definitely beneficial for the company... but my manager just won’t listen. What should I do?

And then one of the speakers (it was Olesya Golikova from HSE) says this brilliant phrase: "Seduce your manager with numbers."

And that’s exactly right! Because your manager doesn’t need your enthusiasm, inspiration, or belief that "this is super cool."

What matters to a manager is cost reduction, profit growth, and the projected impact next quarter. So show them concrete numbers and expected results. Talk about what concerns them.

• Want a vacation in July? Show that it won’t disrupt the team’s workflow.
• Want a budget for a new design? Show how it will boost sales.
• Want a bonus? Explain how your contribution impacted overall results.

This is how any communication works—not just in the office, but in life. If you want your idea to be supported, don’t explain why it’s important to you. Explain why it’s beneficial to your listener.