It’s often said that people don’t quit their company, they quit their boss. But many workers can’t leave their jobs in these economic times and getting along with the boss is probably more important than ever. How can workers develop an effective relationship with their boss?
Workers need to manage up! Managing up is effectively connecting with your professional superior. You win, your boss wins and the organization wins.
Although workers can’t manage their bosses, they can influence them.
Here are a few things to remember that will improve your relationship with your supervisor:
Learn your boss’s communication style.
How often does your boss want to meet and in what format? Observe your boss’s pattern of communication and ask other workers what works well for them.
Be proactive.
Hiding does not put you head of the pack. Now is the time to step up. You need to differentiate yourself. People who tend to thrive are those who are courageous and upfront.
Meet regularly.
Schedule time to meet with your boss on a regular basis so you have a clear understanding of how well you’re doing and where you need to improve. Don’t wait until the company’s annual performance evaluation to have a discussion.
Ask for your boss’s opinion.
Say, “I want to get your perspective on what my best approach would be…” From the manager’s perspective, if you want to build morale, ask new employees their opinion and then shut and listen.
Go to your boss with solutions.
Anytime you’re approaching your boss with a question, you should always have an idea what you would do if you were the boss. The insight might catapult your market value.
Develop a power that makes you attractive.
If you don’t have personal power as a result of your position, become an employee who has information about the industry or competition. Or become an expert, doing something better than any other individual.
Address problems.
When you’re not on the same wavelength with the boss, talk about it. Address things when they are not hot, when emotions seem under control.
Play devil’s advocate.
If you disagree with your boss, make sure the boss saves face in front of colleagues – even if you’re right. Subordinates can disagree by saying, “let me play the devil’s advocate for a minute.”
Remember, when making a decision, your boss may have information about a topic you may not have (usually they do). Having this added knowledge may cause you to see the situation differently.
