How To Impress Your Boss
Like It Or Not, Your Boss Is One Of The
Most Important And Influential People In Your Life
Why Is It Important?
Like it or not, your boss is one of the
most important and influential people in your life. As well as holding the
ability to make or break your career, they can dictate your mood, decide
whether you're worthy of a pay rise or bonus, and generally impact on your
overall happiness.
Impressing the boss is a much derided
activity and will often be misconstrued as sycophancy by fellow workers. But
this shouldn't deter you from doing your best for them. Remember, the
relationship with your boss is a partnership - the better job they do at the
company, the better you'll likely do, and vice versa.
Where Do I Start?
Learning more about your boss and their
goals and aspirations will enable you to better relate to them and underpin
their endeavours.
"Seek
the views of those who work well with and understand this person,"
advises Lisa Rowles, managing consultant at people development company TMI.
"What's
really important to this individual, personally and professionally?"
Consider their style, needs, drivers, what
keeps them awake at night, how many others interact with them and how much time
they have.
Be Trustworthy
Aim to consistently deliver and follow
through on assignments, projects and day-to-day tasks. Keep on top of your
workload, honour commitments and deadlines, and don't make promises or
guarantees that you can't keep.
Show evidence of being a team player and be
supportive of colleagues. Refrain from criticism or doing anything that might
compromise your boss's position. This doesn't mean falling in with everyone
else's view of how things should be done, but it is necessary that you are seen
as co-operative and prepared to take responsibility for your actions.
Build A Rapport
Effective dialogue and presentation will
not only help you establish a strong working relationship with your boss, but
will also help to ensure your best efforts are regarded in a positive light.
Tread carefully when detailing your
accomplishments though, as you don't want your communication to be
misinterpreted as bragging. When responding to requests from your boss, be
enthusiastic, offer options and ask relevant questions, says Rowles. "Imagine
that you are a trusted adviser of this individual, who is counting on you for
your honesty, ability and knowledge - respond appropriately."
Work Smart
Figure out what you are particularly good
at and enjoy doing, and find ways to make full use of these talents outside of
your day-to-day responsibilities. If numbers are your thing, try to get
involved in departmental budget planning. If facilitation comes easy, volunteer
to take a workshop.
Make sure any input is "worthwhile,
short, sharp and positive to create maximum impact," says Rowles.
Make It Easy For Your Boss
Take the pressure off your boss by offering
potential solutions to problems wherever possible and be seen to contingency
plan. Prioritise your work to help to jointly achieve goals and, if you really
want to get on, be prepared to go the extra distance to deliver a high-quality
performance when the occasion demands it.
If You Only Do 5 Things
- Appreciate what makes your boss tick
- Express your loyalty
- Keep them in the picture
- Identify problems and offer possible solutions
- Be prepared to go the extra mile if necessary
--
Junaid Tahir
https://groups.google.com/forum/#!msg/paradigmwisdom/Ncx3JNpz_5o/VLG_MUAYyqAJ[1-25]
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