WORKPLACE SPECIAL.... VALUED BY THE BOSS

VALUED BY THE BOSS





Not sure if you are a star employee or just overworked? Here are nine signs that your manager depends on you more than you think

Favouritism is alive and well in the work place. But there is a fine line between bosses who appreciate an employee's good work and want to empower the person with more projects, and bosses who favour that employee to the detriment of others.

If you aren't sure whether you are the boss's favourite, here are a few signs that may help you out.

They ask about your career goals

We all know the “where do you see yourself in five years“ question can be a bit sticky in a job interview. But if your boss takes an interest in your career aspirations within and beyond your organisation, that's a whole different story. Questions about your goals and dreams may signal their interest in mentoring you going forward. They are generally a good sign that your manager is truly invested in your long-term success.

They ask you to teach others

If your manager is constantly asking you to show the office newbie the ropes or explain how things work to your colleagues, it may feel like they are just pawning off extra tasks on you -to tell the truth, that might be the case in some instances.

But your boss also might be so impressed with your skills, that they want to spread them around to others.

They check in with you

Bosses will go out of their way to check on the workers they like. They will ask about your happiness, whether or not you are planning to leave, and how the company can keep you on. Your boss isn't interrogating you -he is proactively figuring out what steps are needed to take to retain you.

They give you more responsibility

Managers often deputise their most talented employees. You probably won't get a gold-star badge, but you will get put in charge of important projects and even your fellow co-workers.

They're not always forthcoming with the compliments

You might think that managers shower the em ployees whom they value with praise, but that isn't always the case. They either think you already know you are in good standing, or they simply just forget because you do so many things well. It's best to ask for feedback and make it clear that you want your manager to tell it like it is.

They ask for your input

Bruce Tulgan , founder of RainmakerThinking and author of It's Okay to Manage Your Boss, believes bosses confer more with the employees whom they like and trust. “If the boss often asks your input in one-on-ones and team meetings and leaves plenty of time for you to talk and then responds favourably to what you say -these are good signs,“ he says.

They respect your views

At the end of the day, likability is overrated.

Stop worrying whether the boss `likes you' be cause what really matters most is whether he respect you, includes you, and engages you in important conversations. Likability is not as important as making a contribution, being a thought partner, and helping the team and the organisation thrive.

They challenge you

If you're feeling a bit overwhelmed at times, then that might not be a terrible thing. The boss will probably give you more than you feel you can handle at times, not because he or she is trying to punish you, but because they want to test you on tough assignments.

They give you tough love

Suzanne Bates, CEO of Bates Communications and author of All the Leader You Can Be, says it can be difficult to figure out whether or not your boss likes you.

“A boss who sees you as promising may give you a lot of feedback, not all of it positive -some of it might be `tough love' because he or she sees you as someone who can handle it and is ready for more responsibility,“ she says.

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