EFFECTIVE TIPS FOR GETTING ALONG WITH YOUR SUPERIOR AT WORK
By Susan Heathfield
At one point or another in
your career, you will report to a manager, the person you fondly - or not -
call boss. The relationships that you create and manage, with both your
immediate boss, and other company employees, are critical for your work success
and career progress.
And, face it, whether you
like it or not, you're in charge of your relationship with your boss. No one
will ever share as much concern as you do that the quality of the relationship helps
you achieve your goals. At the same time, your boss has information that you
need to succeed. He can't do his job or accomplish his goals without your help.
So, your manager shares a
critical interdependence with you. If you don't accomplish your work, your
manager will never shine for his or her overall responsibilities. You won't
progress without the information, perspective, experience, and support of your
manager.
Despite knowing this,
managers do come in every size and with all possible levels of skill and
effectiveness. Some managers are just plain bad bosses; others are unaware of
what you need from them. Managing up is challenging, but ultimately, worth your
time.
These steps will help you
develop a positive, ongoing, supportive relationship with your boss - a
relationship that serves you well, your manager well, and, as a consequence,
your organization well.
1. The first step in managing up
is to develop a positive relationship with your boss. Relationships are based
on trust. Do what you say you'll do. Keep timeline commitments. Never blind
side your manager with surprises that you could have predicted or prevented.
Keep her informed about your projects and interactions with the rest of the
organization.
2. Tell the boss when you've
made an error or one of your reporting staff has made a mistake. Cover-ups
don't contribute to an effective relationship. Lies or efforts to mislead
always result in further stress for you as you worry about getting
"caught" or somehow slipping up in the consistency of your story.
Communicate daily or weekly to build the relationship.
3. Get to know your manager as a
person - she is one, after all. She shares the human experience, just as you
do, with all of its joys and sorrows.
Recognize that success at
work is not all about you; put your boss's needs at the centre of your
universe. Identify your boss's areas of weakness or greatest challenges and ask
what you can do to help. What are your boss's biggest worries; how can your
contribution mitigate these concerns? Understand your boss's goals and
priorities. Place emphasis in your work to match her priorities. Think in terms
of the overall success of your department and company, not just about your more
narrow world at work.
4. Look for and focus on the
"best" parts of your boss; just about every boss has both good points
and bad. When you're negative about your boss, the tendency is to focus on his
worst traits and failings. This is neither positive for your work happiness nor
your prospects for success in your organization. Instead, compliment your boss
on something he does well. Provide positive recognition for contributions to
your success.
5. Make your boss feel valued. Isn't this what you want from him for
you?
Your boss is unlikely to
change; she can choose to change, but the person who shows up to work every day
has taken years and years of effort on her part to create. And, who your boss
is has worked for her in the past and reinforced her actions and beliefs. Instead
of trying to change your boss, focus instead, on trying to understand your
boss's work style.
6. Identify what she values in
an employee. Does she like frequent communication, autonomous employees,
requests in writing in advance of meeting, or informal conversation as you pass
in the hallway. Your boss's preferences are important and the better you
understand them, the better you will work with her.
7. Learning how to read your
boss's moods and reactions is also a helpful approach to communicate more
effectively with him. There are times when you don't want to introduce new
ideas; if he is preoccupied with making this month's numbers, your idea for a
six month improvement may not be timely. Problems at home or a relative in
failing health affect each of your workplace behaviors and openness to an
improvement discussion. Additionally, if your boss regularly reacts in the same
way to similar ideas, explore what he fundamentally likes or dislikes about
your proposals.
8. Learn from your boss.
Although some days it may not feel like it, your boss has much to teach you.
Appreciate that she was promoted because your organization found aspects of her
work, actions, and/or management style worthwhile. Promotions are usually the
result of effective work and successful contributions. So, ask questions to
learn and listen more than you speak to develop an effective relationship with
your boss.
9. Ask your boss for feedback.
Let the boss play the role of coach and mentor. Remember that your boss can't
read your mind. Enable him to offer you recognition for your excellent
performance. Make sure he knows what you have accomplished. Create a space in
your conversation for him to praise and thank you.
10. Value your boss's time. Try
to schedule, at least, a weekly meeting during which you are prepared with a
list of what you need and your questions. This allows him to accomplish work
without regular interruption.
Tie your work, your requests,
and your project direction to your boss's and the company's overarching goals.
When making proposals to your boss, try to see the larger picture. There are
many reasons why your suggestion may not be adopted: resources, time, goals,
and vision. Maintain strict confidentiality.
In your relationship with
your boss you will sometimes disagree and occasionally experience an emotional
reaction. Don't hold grudges. Don't make threats about leaving. Disagreement is
fine; discord is not. Get over it. You need to come to terms with the fact that
your boss has more authority and power than you do. You are unlikely to always
get your way.
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