How Well Do You Get Along With Your Boss?
…………..Or should I say, how well do you work with your boss? It’s magic if we like the person we’re working for AND work well together. It’s more like being a part of a team or partnership. After all, most of us spend more time with co-workers than we do with our own families.
If you want a job, defined as “small miscellaneous pieces of work taken by order” or a career, defined as “a profession for which one trains and is undertaken as a permanent calling”, take a look at the tips below. But first ask yourself, what am I contributing? You may think you’re contributing so much that if you weren’t there, the company would fold. WRONG! You have to know you’re contributing and to do that, the person you report to is the key. How do you increase your worth and value? Here are those tips:
Treat your manager like you would a customer.
Just like a customer, you need to understand what your manager wants. How can you deliver the right “product or service” if you don’t understand the desired outcome? You need to know your manager’s desires, concerns and worries, pressures, likes and dislikes. Listen carefully when they’re speaking – what gets them excited and what drives them crazy. Once you know the answer to these questions, align your priorities with theirs. Result: – smoother working relations with less stress.
Know what is expected of you.
Make sure you’re on the same page. Ask your manager what they expect in terms of performance and how the work should be done. If you have questions, ask again. All managers prefer to spend time with you up front to make sure you’re on the right track. If you’re not, that means more work for them later. Also, determine how they want to be communicated with; verbally, written reports, etc.
Result: spending more time on the right assignments vs. the wrong assignments – which translate to better time management.
Express what you need from your manager.
Your relationship is a two-way street. Your manager needs to know what tools and information you need to accomplish your goals. Also explain what sort of guidance you will need and how you like to receive feedback.
Result: higher levels of receptiveness to your concerns.
Don’t just bring problems, bring solutions.
If you don’t have a solution for an issue, brainstorm with coworkers or research best practices within your industry. By doing this, you show you’ve done some thinking and are willing to share the responsibility. Even if the solution isn’t perfect, you tried and this will make you stand out from your co-workers.
Result: You will become the “go-to” person and increase your brand-image.
Express your views and ideas.
Believe it or not, just because someone has the title of “supreme being” doesn’t mean they have all the answers. That’s why you and your fellow co-workers are there, to help problem solve (as noted above). But there are a few guidelines. Don’t say what you think your manager wants to hear. Nobody likes a suck-up. And don’t always be on the opposite side. Instead, give solid and honest feedback that authentically represents your thinking.
Results: Again you’ll be seen as a go-to person but this will also help catapult you to that next level which often means monetary rewards.
By following these easy steps, you will continue to become CAREER FIT!!
Another thing I LOVE about birthdays is the desire that others have to feed me. Yes, Michael loves to eat. This year Cherrie took me for lunch at the Third Ward Caffe where we dined on yummy roast beef paninis, and salads tossed with dried Door County cherries and gorgonzola dressing. Then John Malinger treated me to a scrumptious dinner at Crazy Water. From the "beet-tini" to the braised pork shoulder with prunes and apricots, I was in sensory overload.
