Three Questions to Ask Your New Boss

Your first week is the best time to ask. Nobody expects you to know things yet. Ask these three in your first one-on-one. Question one: "What does a good first month look like to you?" This tells you what your boss will judge. Now you know where to put your time.

Question two: "How do you like to get updates from me?" Some bosses want a short message on Friday. Some want a quick call. Some want nothing until there is a problem. Ask once, and you will not annoy them for the next two years.

Question three: "Who should I meet in my first two weeks?" Your boss knows the map of the company. Let them draw it for you. Then send a short note to each name: "Hi, I just joined the team. Can we talk for fifteen minutes?"

Ask all three at once. Say: "I have three quick questions, and then I will let you go." That line sets the length. Write down the answers while they talk. It shows you take them seriously. Bring a notebook, not just your phone.

Two things to skip in week one. Do not ask about promotion yet. Do not ask "What should I do today?" every morning. Bring a plan instead: "I plan to start with the customer list. Does that sound right to you?"