How to effectively communicate with a leader

Emmett Shear, former CEO of Twitch, is adamant that this is how you work with any CEO.

Based on his experience having multiple direct reports, back-to-back meetings and a big vision to uphold, he said, “there are four ways to frame anything you’re going to tell me.”

Those four ways are:

1. I'm doing this, FYI. Sharing information because you want them to be in the loop.
2. I'm doing this, but I want your approval. Sharing because you need them to approve.
3. I'm trying to decide between a, b and c. Asking for help with thinking something through.
4. Remember that thing we agreed on? Here's what happened. Sharing a status update and closing the loop.

Leaders don’t want dithering team members wasting their time, they want a clear way forward led by people who can take the initiative.

How do you want your team to communicate with you? How do you set your expectations and make it happen?