Updated September 2026: in March 2020, after two days without any response from the onsite team and with my leave approaching, I decided to bring my manager in, having kept him informed throughout. I have rewritten it into advice on using your manager to unblock a stalled request.
For the second day running, the offshore delivery lead and I had heard nothing from onsite, not even whether our approach met the client's needs. My leave was a few days away, and the delivery lead did not want the work to drag on. Walking into the office with no update, I decided to discuss it with my manager. Luckily, I had kept him informed about every step.
When should you involve your manager?
When you have tried the normal routes, reminders and direct messages, and the delay now threatens a deadline or your planned leave. Going to your manager too early can look like avoiding direct communication; too late, and they have no time to help.
Why does keeping your manager informed matter?
Because it lets them act immediately, without needing a long briefing. A manager who has seen your updates already knows the history, the reminders sent and the stakes. They can escalate on your behalf with confidence.
What should you bring to the conversation?
- The dates of each version shared and each reminder.
- What exactly you need from the onsite team.
- The deadline or leave date at risk.
- What you suggest, such as a manager-to-manager note or a joint call.
What can your manager do that you cannot?
Speak to the onsite lead's manager, reset priorities with the account team, or formally hand the work to someone else while you are away. These carry more weight coming from them.
How do you keep your manager informed without overloading them?
A short weekly or twice-weekly note: what is done, what is blocked, what you need. Forward key email threads only when they matter. It takes minutes and turns your manager into an ally when something goes wrong.
What if your manager cannot help?
Agree a plan together: proceed on assumptions, or pause until inputs arrive. Either is fine if it is agreed and written down before your leave.