Winning your boss over
Effective people management is an art and that comes with experience.
It usually connotes managing your subordinates and you hardly talk about
managing your superiors. Is it important? How can one do this? Whether
you've just started a new job or you've been there in an organisation
for years, earning your boss' respect is vital.
Your boss manages more than one person and that means your boss is
dealing with multiple personalities with diverse knowledge, skills and
talents. So you are compared everyday and your performance is relatively
rated.
Prove your value
It can be difficult to make a lasting positive impression. If you are
unable to prove your value to your boss, then the working relationship
between the two of you cannot be solid and earning your boss' respect
will be difficult. If your boss has earned the position on merit, then
you have a reason to respect him and do what it takes to make him happy
by delivering his expectations.
In the process you will help develop your business and your career
too - so there is a compelling business case to make your boss happy - I
mean a good boss.
Lay the foundation
Doing the job 'the right way' is the foundation to earn respect. It's
so fundamental to impress your boss. You have been hired to perform a
job. Do your job right and do it well. Well disciplined, intelligent,
knowledgeable, skilled and committed employees are precious gems for a
leader. Collaborate with your colleagues in a positive manner with
passion.
Show your boss that you believe in team work - after all its teams
that can produce results in an organisational environment not the
individuals - offer to take on extra responsibilities and help
team-mates complete their tasks. Work hard to meet deadlines. Seeing a
job through to the end will show your boss you are dedicated to
completing the task.
Appreciation
Praise others. Laud colleagues for jobs well done. Everyone likes to
hear that their hard work is being noticed. Let your boss and colleagues
know when you appreciate their work. This will earn the respect of your
colleagues, which your boss is sure to appreciate. Take a risk and
volunteer to take on more projects as you get more confident in your
role. Stand up for your beliefs and ideas.
Don't be afraid to let your boss and colleagues know, albeit
respectfully, what you think. Challenging your boss' ideas,
respectfully, will show your boss you are confident in your knowledge
and abilities. Of course equip yourself with facts, figures, analysis
and enough evidence to substantiate your proposition - that's
confidence.
Confidence is not just body language it's your inner power that
reflects in your action.
Hit the jackpot
If you are blessed with a fantastic boss - one who is supportive,
encouraging, competent and confident, who wants you to be successful and
cares about your professional advancement - then you've hit the jackpot.
Nurture this relationship and work hard to show that your boss'
investment in you is worthwhile to him. Unfortunately, not everyone's
boss is close to this ideal.
One of the most important factors in determining an employees'
satisfaction is the relationship with their immediate supervisor.
If your boss sets clear expectations, knows you, trusts you and
invests in you, then you can forgive the company for its lack of
profit-sharing bonuses.
But if your relationship with your manager is fractured, then no
outward-bound training at a super luxury hotel in Dambulla will persuade
you to stay and perform.
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