Student Question Master, I perform well at my job, but being introverted, I rarely feel comfortable knocking on my leader’s door to give updates. Over time, I feel like I’m losing out — yet I don’t know how to calibrate the right level of closeness. I want to get closer, but it fills me with anxiety.
Master Chi’s Response The warmth of your relationship with your leader determines the height of your career. There’s one approach that works especially well — and it comes down to a single idea: when good things happen, treat your leader like an ordinary person.
What this means is: when something good happens to your leader, set the gap in rank and status aside. Think from their perspective — if I were just a regular person experiencing this, what would I want others to do? Let that guide how you communicate. This mindset goes a long way toward breaking down the wall between you. Here are some practical things you can do day to day:
1. Send your congratulations — any occasion is the right occasion. Festivals, promotions, achievements — should you offer good wishes to your leader? This is something many introverted people agonize over. But the moment you stop fixating on their status and simply think about yourself: at a moment like that, your leader is just like anyone else — they want to hear from people. When your leader gets promoted, wins an award, earns a commendation, or their child gets into university, a word of congratulations is never out of place. And if your leader doesn’t reply, carry no burden about it whatsoever.
2. Respond with timely feedback. Imagine you’re presenting at a meeting. What’s the most awkward thing that could happen? You finish speaking, and the room goes utterly silent — your words sinking like a stone, everyone staring blankly back at you.
Put yourself in your leader’s shoes. When they speak up in a group chat or deliver a strong report, respond. Let them feel like they’ve been heard.
3. Show consistent, genuine care. As long as it’s sincere, you can reach out to your leader openly and naturally — they will welcome it. Being thought of by someone is, in the end, always a good feeling.