You've finally landed your dream job, and you’re ready to hit the ground running. You're more than willing to start contributing to your new team and establish yourself as a positive force in your modern workplace.
Soon, you realize that you and your boss aren't getting along as well as you'd hoped. It might be personality differences, or maybe you have core differences in how you approach work. Don't worry! We have the ultimate guide to becoming the employee your boss loves. Even if you and your boss don’t end up as best friends, this guide will help show your boss that you are a great employee and a vital asset to the company.
1) Ask for advice
One way to start building a relationship with your boss is to ask for advice. Some people think (wrongly, we might add) that asking for help or advice in the workplace shows weakness or uncertainty. The truth is, studies show that asking for advice makes you seem more competent to the person from whom you’re asking for advice. In this case, your boss. You don't want to ask for her opinion. When you ask for an idea, your boss will become more objective and start looking at the situation as an outsider. When you ask for advice, your boss will feel more involved in the case and see herself as an active participant. The final result (whatever it is) will most likely have her stamp of approval because you asked for and applied her advice.
2) Find solutions, not problems.
Suppose you go into your manager's office with a list of problems you see in your workplace without offering a single solution. How do you think your boss will feel? Chances are, he won’t appreciate the effort you took into finding these problems because you didn’t offer any answers to go along with them. For example, you see that your new Customer Care agent is not appropriately replying to customers. Aside from just pointing out this issue to your manager, pair it with a solution immediately. Review the Customer Care scripts, and offer to schedule a one-on-one meeting with the agent. Once you've met with the parties involved, present a full report to your supervisor. Don't wait for your immediate supervisor to tell you what to do.
3) Arrive at work early
Boss, teammate, or co-worker - everyone appreciates punctuality. Come in five to ten minutes before work officially starts or at the very least, arrive on time. Show your boss that you respect people’s time, and you come ready and prepared for the workday. Trust us; your boss will notice this extra effort. Being late never reflects well on a person, much less when trying to get on your boss' good side. Remember that punctuality is always appreciated in an employee because it shows responsibility, respect and demonstrates that you value your job.
4) Match your communication skills to hers
Are you feeling a disconnect with your supervisor? Maybe it's your communication style. Try to learn early on how your boss prefers to communicate at work – is it Zoho? Email? Face to Face conversations? Does he like to have short chats throughout the day or a comprehensive update once a day? If you realize that there’s a mismatch in your styles, bring it up with her and discuss it. You can both agree on what platform to use consistently and even schedule discussions in advance. The sooner you learn her preferred mode of communication, the sooner you can adjust your style to match hers.
5) Anticipate your boss’ needs
Does your boss need to prepare a report for the Management Committee every Monday? Does she need help in preparing decks? Anticipate what your boss needs and help her with them. Remember, the company hired you to make your boss' life more manageable. Maybe you can give her the figures she needs a few days in advance to help her finish the weekly report ahead of time. Offer to create a deck template for her. Even more than this, anticipate what your company needs in the long-term. Become proactive and think of how your company, or even just your team, should move forward in the next few months or years. Discuss this with your boss. You'll show her that you're a strategic thinker invested in the company's future – a sought-out trait in any employee.
6) Say thank you
Being courteous and respectful is vital in the workplace. When you work with your boss on a project or proposal, say thank you after the end of the cycle. It's imperative to say thank you after receiving feedback, both positive and negative. Show appreciation for the help you received and any constructive criticism. You'll also demonstrate that you’re a team player who knows how to work with others. Knowing how to say thank you and showing gratitude goes a long way in staying on your boss' right side.
7) Set goals and meet them
If your boss gives you specific goals and objectives, make sure you meet them well within the given timeframe. If your supervisor is too vague and doesn't tell you what to do, get guidance from her, then go ahead and set your own goals. Once you organize your objectives, make sure to follow through and achieve them. Be a go-getter, and show that you can work well independently – the kind of employee any boss will love.
This universal guide works in all kinds of work settings and industries. Demonstrate your value and the contribution you make, which will help your working relationship with your boss. Once you follow these tips, get ready to become one of your boss’ favorites (we hope!). Good luck!