Some bosses are storytellers. They love context, metaphors, maybe even a little drama. Then there’s your boss—the one who replies to your 300-word email with five words. In bullet points.
If you’ve ever stared at a Slack message that just says:
- Fix deck
- Add Q2 stats
- Launch Monday
...and felt wildly unprepared for what to do next, you’re not alone.
Working with a “bullet point boss” can be jarring, but it’s totally manageable once you learn their language. Here’s how to get what you need—and deliver what they want—without going nuts in the process.
1. Match Their Style
Let’s be real: you don’t need to become a robot. But mirroring their structure can help your ideas land better.
If they write in short, action-based fragments, try this:
Instead of:
“Hi! I’ve updated the presentation and added some insights from the marketing team. Let me know if there’s anything else I should change.”
Try:
- Deck updated
- Slide 3: added marketing stats
- Let me know if edits needed
See? Same message, new format.
2. Lead with the Outcome
Bullet-point communicators are outcome-focused. They want the point first, not the warm-up.
So when writing, structure it like this:
- Headline or outcome first
- Supporting bullet points if needed
- Ask or next step clearly stated
Example:
Campaign ready for launch
- Email flow tested
- Assets approved
- Will schedule for Thursday unless you advise otherwise
This gives them all they need in a quick glance.
3. Don’t Mistake Brevity for Anger
When someone responds with just:
“Fine.”
“OK.”
“Fix page 4.”
It’s easy to think: Are they mad? Do they hate my work?
Probably not.
Bullet-point folks are just economical with words. If they were truly upset, they’d likely say so. Or… they’d ghost you. (Not great, but definitely different.)
So don’t over-read tone where there isn’t any. Assume neutrality unless shown otherwise.
4. Use Formatting to Make Info Digestible
Even if your boss is brief, they still want clarity. Instead of writing long paragraphs, break things up:
- Use bullet points (yes, even with them!)
- Add subheadings for big ideas
- Highlight action items or deadlines
- Bold key data (if your platform supports it)
Think of your updates like a clean dashboard, not a word salad.
5. Translate “Bullets” into Context When Needed
Sometimes those three-line emails hide a lot of assumptions.
Example from your boss:
- Edit deck
- Include Q2
- Send by EOD
What they might mean is:
“Update the client deck with the new Q2 metrics we got from finance. Remove the outdated charts from slide 5, and include the sales graph from our last meeting. Make sure it’s polished enough for external sharing. I need it by 5pm.”
Whew.
If something’s unclear, don’t guess—clarify:
“Got it—just to confirm, you want the new Q2 metrics and client-ready polish on all slides, correct?”
They’ll usually answer with:
“Correct.”
“Yup.”
“Exactly.”
Simple. Done.
6. When You Need Details, Ask Specific Questions
Want more than a three-word reply? Ask better questions.
Instead of:
“Thoughts on the doc?”
Try:
“Are you okay with the tone in slide 2? Or want it more formal?”
“Is this timeline aggressive enough, or do you want faster?”
Targeted questions = targeted answers.
Even bullet-point bosses will open up when the prompt is clear.
7. Give Options Instead of Open-Ended Questions
Open-ended questions are overwhelming for people who think fast and respond faster.
Don’t ask:
“How should we handle the delay?”
Try:
“Should we:
A) Push the launch
B) Announce beta only
C) Keep quiet for now?”
Options give them a clear way to decide—fast.
8. Keep a Personal Notes Log
Let’s face it: if your boss is the bullet-point type, they’re not going to resend that list of priorities just because you missed it.
So keep a living doc or personal tracker with:
- What they’ve asked for
- What they’ve approved
- Any patterns you’ve noticed (like “never use animations in decks”)
It helps you stay aligned—even when their instructions are blink-and-you-miss-it.
9. Don’t Be Afraid to Add a Human Touch
Just because they’re brief doesn’t mean you have to be robotic.
You can still start an email with “Hope your week’s off to a good start” or end a message with “Thanks again!” even if their reply is just:
- Noted.
Being polite and warm doesn’t make your message less efficient. It makes you easier to work with.
10. Remember: They Probably Appreciate Your Clarity More Than You Realize
Bullet-point bosses tend to appreciate directness, speed, and low-friction communication. If you’ve adapted to their style, they’ve probably noticed.
So don’t stress if you’re not writing long explanations or packing every update with detail. You’re speaking their language. And that helps work get done faster.
Which is, after all, what they were aiming for with those bullets in the first place.
