"Getting Along with the Boss" by Terri Levine
Your Boss holds your future prospects in his/her hands. Expect very few favors from a Boss who does not like you. Some Bosses are hard to please and get along with. Some have excellent qualifications but no idea when it comes to dealing with people. Of course, not all bosses are like that.
Bad relationships with the Boss cannot only mean missed advancement opportunities; it is one of the major reasons for high staff turnover. If you resign because of the Boss, you may also expect a dent in your professional reputation. Imagine having to provide such an 'ex' Boss as the contact referral person at your next interview?
The relationship you have with your boss can be a major factor in determining your rise up the ladder. Your Boss isn't only your supervisor, he/she is also the person best equipped (or should be) to help you do the job you are paid to do. He/she is privy to the company's goals and knows what the company is looking for in future executives. He/she can inform you of company direction that may affect your future aspirations. He/she can put in a good word for you in the right ears. He/she is also your ally when you need back up, support or cooperation from other departments.
Your Boss also needs you, performing at your best, in order to accomplish his/her objectives. He/she needs your feedback in order to provide realistic and useful reports to upper management. You can make your boss look good or bad.
But how does this help you establish a meaningful working relationship with your Boss?
The key is communication. Learn and understand his/her goals and priorities. What is required of him/her and how can you help him/her achieve that? Observe and understand your Boss' work style. If he/she has not been clear with his expectations, ask! Likewise, ask for feedback and accept criticism gracefully. And if he/she understands you do not view your job as just something to fill the hours between 9 and 5, he/she may be more inclined to help you.
Know your Boss' priorities and try to anticipate his/her needs before he/she asks. Don't think narrowly in terms of your own immediate position... try to understand where what you do ties in with the bigger picture.
What other things can you discover about your Boss? Is he/she conservative or informal? Does he/she prefer to be greeted as Mr, Ms, Miss or Mrs, or prefers first names? Is his/hers an "open door" policy or does he/she prefer you set appointments with them? Respect your boss' time. Never barge into their office expecting or demanding a hearing immediately. Does he/she prefer to be kept informed with progress reports, or prefer you show initiative and get on with the job? Discover and eliminate behaviors that would annoy your boss, and never bad-mouth him/her to others. It always gets back via office grapevines.
Your boss is only human. Like you, he/she has off days, and being human, can also make mistakes. Some managers are naturals, and others struggle because communication and people skills are not their strong points. They may not have all the answers, and maybe, their own boss is hard to get along with or has unrealistic expectations!
Don't be a "yes man" and don't offer false flattery in the hope of getting somewhere... it won't work! And don't aim for "closeness" in the working relationship because this can also backfire. If your boss depends upon you too much, he/she won't recommend you for promotions because you are needed too much where you are. Another possibility is, if he/she is not a good manager, he/she may be given their marching orders... if you are seen to be a part of his/her management mishaps, you may be marching out the door with him/her!
Do what you can to stay in his/her good books. Don't take "sickies" unless you ARE sick! Be an effective, cooperative, responsible and courteous employee and team player.
It is possible that you are already these things, and you are working for somebody whose management style disagrees with your needs or expectations. Maybe friction cannot be avoided. So you need to decide just how important your career path in that particular company is, because if you can't adjust and work with it, you may be better off looking for a new job in a new department or company.
In short, getting along with your Boss entails getting to know his/her likes and dislikes and learning to work with his/her personality and management style. And the upside about mastering communication and people skills with your own boss is that one day, those skills will pay off in your own management role with your own team.
Terri Levine is a successful business coach and was a speaker at Joe Vitale's Spiritual Marketing Super Summit.
Terri Levine, MCC, PCC, MS, CCC-SLP, made the transition from senior executive to become one of the top professional coaches in the industry, founded a leading coach training school, and has worked with clients from every walk of life.
Terri is the founder and CEO of Comprehensive Coaching U, Inc., and The Coaching Institute - The Professional’s Coach Training Program. The Coaching Institute is an internationally recognized program that provides training to individuals and organizations that want to learn coaching skills and/or become Certified Comprehensive Coaches.
Terri’s coaching clients call her the “wisdom wizard”. Her background as a corporate executive paired with her marketing expertise is extraordinary. She has compiled an impressive track record of growing million dollar businesses.
She specializes in using Comprehensive Coaching principles to create extraordinary growth for her clients’ lives and businesses, and has been coaching professionals and companies, and training others to use coaching skills every day to experience much greater business, financial and personal success, discovering better ways to grow profitable businesses, restore balance in life, and bring greater joy to each day. She synthesizes the knowledge and wisdom of every leading organizational development guru, philosophy and process to create a results-oriented approach.
Terri, a popular keynote and motivational speaker, is also a successful author. Her much acclaimed book, “Work Yourself Happy,” (which hit #3 on the Amazon best-seller list early in 2002) is an example of her own coaching work and her clients’ success stories.
Her second book, “Coaching for an Extraordinary Life,” published in 2001, brings the tools of the coaching industry to ordinary people, so that all may enjoy a better quality life.
In her third book, “Create Your Ideal Body”, Terri shares her strategies and techniques which enabled 250 people to lose weight without dieting, struggle, deprivation or the use of gizmos, gadgets, pills, potions or rigid exercise routines.
Her last book, “Stop Managing, Start Coaching!” reached #6 on Amazon and deals with morale in the workplace. She also puts out weekly e-mail newsletters to thousands of subscribers worldwide. Terri is a nationally recognized authority on creating greater business and personal success and she is featured regularly in the media and on Channel 10 NBC Philadelphia News as a coaching expert.
Terri lives in Pennsylvania, and when she isn’t coaching, training, speaking, or writing, she loves to race Formula Dodge cars!
Terri is a member of the International Coach Federation, the Philadelphia Area Coaches Alliance, The American Society of Training and Development, and the National Women Business Owners.
If you are interested in becoming a coach, hiring a coach, or having Terri address your organization, call toll-free 1-877-401-6165 or email info@ComprehensiveCoachingU.com.
Visit her on the website: http://www.TerriLevine.com