With all the current attention on effective management techniques and the need to

people skills, it’s amazing that one of the most critical areas for getting ahead in your career

doesn’t get much attention – the fine art of managing your boss.

Managing your boss is not a matter of “polishing apples” or playing politics. it implies

working together to generate the best solutions for you, your boss and your company.

Many talented people are stuck in the old paradigm of expecting their boss to manage

them. They take a passive, reactive stance, waiting for direction and support. Which can

they complain about a bad boss, but do little to change things. they do not

learn the small but essential steps they can take to establish a productive dialogue.

Don’t fall into this trap. Don’t assume your boss knows what he needs to

do your job well Don’t assume your actions are in sync with his or hers.

expectations and priorities. Stay in contact. Communicate. Look at things.

Your most critical working relationship

Your boss links you to the rest of your company. When your relationship works well, your

priorities will be consistent with your company goals and you will be able to advance faster in your career.

If you want to influence the outcome of your relationship with your boss, you must

take responsibility Waiting for direction from your boss can ultimately hurt your chances

for advance

action steps

Here are some action steps you can take RIGHT NOW to build a more productive and

Rewarding relationship with your boss.

• First identify your boss’s priorities – Your boss’s opinion of you is essential. By learning and paying attention to your priorities and goals, you become more valuable. This doesn’t mean you have to agree with everything your boss says. When handled properly, disagreements can increase your credibility and garner greater support.
• Ask WIIFH? – Before presenting your ideas to your boss, ask him: “What’s in it for him?” Think about how your activities further your boss’s goals and priorities. When you can link his activities to benefits for your boss, he’s much more likely to get support for what he needs.
• Under promise and over deliver – Always be conservative in your commitments. There is a natural tendency to want to impress and please others by making big promises. However, no matter how much you actually achieve, if you don’t live up to the expectations you set, you can’t help but damage your reputation. When you meet or exceed your promises, you build credibility in the eyes of your superiors.
• Don’t just focus on the problems – Yes, your boss is busy. But just because you’re lucky enough to have a few moments doesn’t mean you should focus only on the difficulties. Make sure your regular meetings include discussions about positive performance.
• Bid Solutions – Never bring a problem to your boss without offering possible solutions at the same time. This gives him the opportunity to show his ability to solve problems. It is worth looking for ways to develop his creativity and look at problems from different angles.
• Learn how to ask for feedback effectively – It is important to receive regular feedback from your boss. If you don’t, you risk being surprised by their performance reviews. However, the way you solicit feedback is important and depends on your boss’s personality and style.

Everything you achieve in your career, you will achieve through relationships with

others. And no relationship can have a greater impact on your career than your

relationship with your boss.

Today, relationship strategies rule the world. It is up to you to learn and apply

them, to maximize your performance and achieve the results you want.