Guides / How to text your boss: 12 before and after examples

How to text your boss: 12 before and after examples

Texting a manager sits in an awkward middle: more casual than email, higher stakes than texting a friend. The rules that carry the day are simple: get to the point in the first sentence, propose the next step yourself, and skip both the apology spiral and the fake-casual "hey so umm".

Calling in sick

hey so i'm feeling kinda off today idk if i should come in, what do you think

Good morning. I'm sick today and won't be in. I'll keep an eye on messages for anything urgent and expect to be back tomorrow.

Running late

traffic is CRAZY lol

I'm running about 15 minutes late this morning. I'll be in by 9:15 and will make up the time at lunch.

Asking for a day off

would it maybe be ok if i possibly took friday off? no worries if not!!

Could I take this Friday off? My tasks are on track, and I'll have the weekly report done Thursday.

Pushing back on a deadline

theres no way i can get this done by tomorrow

To do this well I need until Thursday. If tomorrow is firm, I can deliver a first pass and finish the rest by Thursday. Which do you prefer?

Admitting a mistake

so um small problem with the invoice thing, don't be mad

Heads up: I sent invoice 204 with the wrong total. I've already sent the corrected version and called the client. No action needed from you, just keeping you in the loop.

Asking for clarification

wait what did you mean about the deck

Quick check on the deck: do you want the Q3 numbers included, or just Q4? I'll have it ready either way by 3.

Six more quick fixes

can we talk

Do you have 10 minutes today? I'd like your input on the Henderson account.

i finished the thing

The proposal is done and in your inbox. I flagged two decisions that need your call.

who's supposed to be doing the schedule??

The schedule for next week isn't posted yet. Want me to draft it?

i deserve a raise

I'd like to set up a time to talk about my compensation. Would sometime next week work?

fine.

Understood, I'll take that approach. Thanks for the quick answer.

sorry to bother you again but

One more question on this and then I'm set:

The pattern across all twelve: state the situation, then the plan, then (only if needed) the question. Managers read texts between meetings; the easier you are to skim, the more competent you look.