How do I tell my new boss they are not good at explaining things to me?

Mostly you have to be patient. Beyond that, I would suggest saying something like, “I’m sorry, I didn’t understand that the first time you explained it, could you please explain it again?”

I have been on your bosses side of this issue. I tend to “get” things quickly, and so, according to some of my employees, explained things in short hand when I was busy and moving quickly from one thing to another.

Wait until they are not busy. Ask to speak to them for a few minutes.

Say, in your own words, something like, “I am still here new here, and I need a little more information when you ask me to do something. That way we can both be sure I can do the task the way you would like it done the first time.”

Also, next time they give you sketchy direction, if you don’t clearly understand, say, “Mr. or Ms. So and so, I know you are busy, but please let me repeat back to you what I understood you to say.” Then, repeat it back, and add at the end, “Have I got that or was there anything else?”

Keep a positive tone and ask your boss to communicate your task to you again, then repeat back what he/she said.

Are you a visual or an auditory learner? I’m thinking there is some sort of communication breakdown based on your type of learning style.

Even if it is not true (and it’s not), approach this issue as if it exists on your side of things and not on their side. That way you don’t insult your bosses (or they don’t feel insulted) or breed more discontent. As with such discussions, focus on I phrases versus you phrases – “I’m still not getting it, can you explain it once more please?” versus “You suck at explaining it, I still can’t understand you!”

Above all else, remember that cooler heads prevail.

Thanks for the responses, these are very helpful. I actually consider myself to be somebody who tends to “get” things pretty quickly too, but I’m in a new world that I’ve had no exposure to (real estate and software development), the lingo takes time to absorb, and the time-sensitive deadlines add rush and stress to things. My bosses are married – one is mad-scientist scatter-brained, the other is artsy-hippy scatter-brained. I am trying to manage my irritation and get up to speed as quickly as possible – I don’t want their short comings to make me look bad. I think you guys are right – the key is to manage my end as best as possible, be a professional and plan ahead.

Maybe for now, you could either make a cheat sheet of the lingo, or keep a few links to some real estate and software explanation web pages so you can quickly look up words your not understanding?

If it were me, I’d be doing some copious note taking.

@spatz – 2 legal pads full already ;)

Oh, I also think this is one reason why many people have those squishy stress balls at work…

Every time you don’t know what to do, ask them. They should eventually realize that you don’t automatically know everything and that you need help. If they still don’t get it, just come out and say something like, “Guys, this is such a great job and I really like working for you, but I’m having trouble keeping up with my tasks because I’m not sure how everything works yet. Is it possible that we can set aside some time for you to explain (name some specific things) to me?”

I totally agree with @dynamicduo . Never give your boss a reason to think you’re insulting them, even if to you, you clearly aren’t.

I would also follow up in writing at times to be sure that what you got out of the most recent meeting was correct. If they are scatter-brained, they will most likely appreciate the approach and if it is clarified in writing, then you don’t need to ask them a second time.

Well, I wouldn’t blame THEM. They’ll never believe it, anyway. I would stop them periodically in their explanation and repeat it back to them. At some point, write DOWN what they tell you and memorize it.

Nocountry- are you a visual learner, by any chance?

I’ve had these experiences before putting together large cancer clinics. Sitting down with your bosses, or your manager in a room with a big whiteboard and mapping out the operations in a diagram may make a huge difference. Then, copy that diagram onto a piece of paper and post it up in your cube/office. It’s like one big map of your job with sub-bullets etc. Then, whenever you have a meeting, bring your paper copy, and when things are explained -you can clarify ”so that happens here?” and then both/all of you are working from the same understanding and context.

Having this as a visual reference that you can constantly reinforce will also make it easier for you to learn in a systemic way, as opposed to trying to piece together the scraps of random information. It will also allow you to see the really big picture in an organized form.

You could say something like, “I want to be sure I understand….” and rephrase your understanding of what it is they want.

I hate it when people think that just because they know something, everyone else automatically knows what it is too.