Managing your new boss

Times change and so do the people in your company. Just as you have seen your colleagues come and go, one day your boss may be the one to leave. If you are standing there watching the turnstile change, how will you react to accommodate your new boss? What will you do to set yourself up to succeed?

Many people struggle to make an impression on their new supervisor, while more than a few new bosses fail to make an impact on their new company and ultimately end up as a short-term hire.

Impression

When a senior external hire is made, there will likely be someone internally who believes they should have been promoted and that they are more capable than the person chosen for the job from outside.

Sometimes a jaded employee will deliberately set up the 'new guy' to fail and, at times, they will succeed. It is far better to adopt a neutral stance on the subject of your new boss.

Be ready to help him or her out, but do not appear overly eager. Being first out of the gates is not the best impression to make when a new senior has been made. All the 'brown nosers' will approach your new boss within the first few days and pepper him with how they can help.

These people, however, are likely to be dismissed as being overeager. Something about them just triggers a natural defence that screams out: "Be more careful." Don't be a noser or a poser. Hold out for a little while.

Be courteous and introduce yourself, let your boss know what you do and work hard doing it.

A no-nonsense approach is what impresses people. Cut right to the point and let it be known that you are not going to waste their time or yours.

Tasks

When the dust clouds have settled and your new boss gets acclimatised to his new environment, stop by and volunteer to help him with tasks that will make his life that much more comfortable. Those who would get into the heart of the new boss in the right manner will have the edge over the others.

As a guideline, your boss should start to get his head around things in three to four week's time.

At this time, he will undoubtedly start putting his plan of action into place and this is when you should alert him of your availability.

Serve as a resource and understand that helping out does not involve sticking your nose into other people's business.

Know-it-all

Setting a good impression with your new boss does not need to know everything. Of course you want to appear like a valuable asset, but this does not come from pretending you are an expert when you are not.

More often, trying to be a know-it-all will create the opposite impression: It raises suspicion about everything else you say.

When a person speaks like an expert on subjects they are clearly not knowledgeable about, it shows that they may be too proud to ask for help or they are capable of misrepresenting the truth.

For a new boss trying to discover who he can trust, posing as an expert could be a drastic mistake for your career.

Opportunity

Getting a new boss often means that you have a new opportunity to set a first impression. Perhaps you did not get along well with your old boss, or perhaps you did, but now your biggest advocator in the company has left.

Recognise that the past is the past and that your new supervisor will judge you based on your performance and ongoing relationship with him.

Welcoming a new boss to the workplace can be an unsettling experience. Use the opportunity to set yourself apart from others. Establish yourself as the go-to guy by respecting your boss and his ability to see past the nonsense and charades.