You have a great idea: A product tweak that will save your company money; a process change to increase your team’s productivity; or a plan for heading off a looming crisis. But there’s just one snag: You’re not sure how to approach your boss about it. How can you frame your pitch to get the best reception? Start by asking yourself: How will this suggestion make my manager feel? It’s possible that hearing a great idea from you might make them feel threatened or insecure so set the conversation up for success by laying a groundwork of trust and goodwill. This is something you do long before you deliver your pitch, of course. You might give your manager positive feedback or express gratitude, provided the sentiments are genuine. Something as simple as, “I really enjoyed that presentation” or “Thanks for your support in the meeting today” can go a long way. When you raise your idea, approach your manager in private rather than publicly. This will give them space to respond honestly without feeling the pressure of others’ judgment. Try to frame your suggestions in a way that connects them to the company’s goals. You might reference your boss’s previous communications: for example, “You’ve spoken before about your focus on intuitive design. Here’s my idea for improving the user-friendliness of X product” And finally, have an implementation plan ready. At the end of the day, your manager isn’t going to greenlight a good idea that can’t be executed.