“You don’t have to love your boss but you need to be able to work well with them. One of the main reasons employees leave their job is because of their boss. A troubled relationship with your boss can negatively affect your morale, your productivity, your happiness, and of course, your career. A positive relationship can improve your morale, productivity and happiness which could lead to more career success in the form of promotions, raises and higher self-esteem.”
Maroney says a “strong relationship” may mean different things to different people, but what she has seen again and again is that “it’s important to manage your relationship with your boss if you expect to prosper in a job.”
Here’s how to strengthen your relationship with your boss:
- Put yourself in your boss’s shoes. Figure out the challenges your boss will encounter that day and be prepared to offer solutions, Mazur suggests. “Anticipate the questions that your supervisor may ask about your work or a project and have thoughtful answers or next steps for them to take. Thinking ahead can really show that you’re an invaluable team member.”
Teach says it’s easy to be resentful of
your boss, especially if they treat you a certain way, “but they have a
job to do, just like you,” he explains. “There’s a lot about their job
that you don’t know about or see, so don’t assume that they’re out to
get you,” he adds. “Sometimes they act a certain way for a
reason–perhaps their boss is putting a lot of pressure on them–so try to
be understanding.”
- Show value. “They hired you for a reason, so make sure that you’re adding value to the organization and/or position,” Hockett says. “Bosses want employees not only to agree with them, but also be willing to speak up about the realities and challenges in the business that need to be addressed. Be the person that speaks with facts, confidence and reasonable suggestions that produce results. This builds your boss’s confidence in you.”
- Do whatever it takes to make your boss look good. “Everyone cares about their work reputation, or at least they should,” Teach says. “If you can make your boss look good, they will be happy–and if they’re happy, you’ll be happy.”
He says this also means that you shouldn’t correct your boss in front of others. “There is almost nothing worse for a boss than to have a subordinate correct them in front of other people. This is embarrassing for them, even if they are wrong about something. You’re better off mentioning their mistake to them after people leave.”
Hockett agrees. “At all times, display a
level of professionalism that not only benefits you personally, but also
reflects highly of your boss,” she says. You’re a reflection of their
leadership.
- Know when and how to communicate with your boss. Does your supervisor like one sentence e-mails or prefer a detailed account of what’s going on? Does she want to receive an outline of where your project stands, or do you need to provide all of the details? “Learn how your supervisor likes to communicate and receive communication, and mimic this style,” Mazur suggests.
Hockett says you should also ask yourself questions like: “What time of day would my boss prefer to answer questions I might have?” and “What day of the week is the best time to approach him?” “Knowing this in advance can greatly improve the relationship,” she says.
- Ask for feedback. “Don’t be afraid to ask your boss for feedback,” Maroney says. “Don’t assume that your work isn’t valued because your manager is juggling multiple deliverables and not spending as much time with you as you’d like.” Too many people shy away from speaking up for fear of the unknown, she adds. “Ideally your manager should already be providing feedback but this is your career so don’t be afraid to take the driver’s seat.”
- Get to know your boss personally. You don’t need to be friends with your boss or hang out with them on the weekends. However, it couldn’t hurt to ask them how their weekend was, or find out what their hobbies and interests are outside of work, Teach says. “Bosses are human, so communicate with them on a personal level.”
- Offer to help. Hockett says you should ask as your boss if they need help on any projects. “Many bosses have a full plate, and sometimes will not speak up about needing help. So during conversation, ask them if they need a hand with anything,” she says.
Maroney agrees. “We all feel like there
aren’t enough hours in the day. Demonstrating that you’re willing and
able to take on more is one of the best ways to position yourself for
advancement. And who knows, you might get the opportunity to tackle a
project that will let you learn new skills, earn new fans in the
organization, and position yourself for bigger and better
opportunities.”
- Keep your supervisor informed. “No one likes surprises, so if you are experiencing challenges in your work, communicate those,” Mazur says. Don’t hide behind obstacles or mistakes; just keep your supervisor informed along the way. “Whether things are going well, or not so well, you’re building mutual trust and integrity if you keep your supervisor in the know.”
Teach agrees. He says your boss doesn’t
want any surprises–so if you keep her informed of your progress on major
projects through e-mail, phone calls or office visits, she won’t need
to micromanage you and “everyone will be happy.”
- Under-promise and over-deliver. Put your best foot forward to exceed your boss’s expectations, Mazur says. “For example, if you are working on an assignment, be sure to provide a realistic timeline for when you’ll get the work done and surprise your boss by completing it earlier than expected. This will show that you are proactive, and that you can manage your workload.”
- Ask for help and advice. Maroney says 61% of survey respondents indicated they’d prefer that management invest in their professional development rather than spending on creating a fun environment. “Clearly people want to acquire new skills,” she says. “Your boss will likely warm up to you if they see you as a possible protégé.”
Hockett says people also like to be seen
as subject matter experts, especially your boss. “Make a point to ask
for their advice every so often, and make it count. You don’t want to
ask for advice on something trivial. By inviting them into the process
of finding or validating a solution, you’re showing how much you value
their opinion.”
- Show your boss respect. Even if you don’t like your boss, respect them, Teach advises. “Chances are they’ve earned their position for a reason. Whether you like it or not, they are your supervisor. They’re higher up in the food chain than you and if you disrespect them in any way, this will definitely hurt your relationship with them.”
- Be authentic. Don’t be the person that is perceived to be kissing up to the boss, Hockett says. “Be authentic in your approach.” For example, swinging by your boss’s desk each day with a cup of coffee might not be a good idea, unless that’s in your job description. But, if you’re on your way to the break room, extending the offer to grab them one too is a nice gesture, she explains.
- Stay above office politics and gossip. Your behavior reflects on your manager, Maroney says, so avoid snarky commentary, “and when it doubt, be circumspect.”
Hockett concurs. “Whether you think you
can trust coworkers or not, it’s best to never engage in gossip about
your boss, nor anyone else for that matter. Word always gets out when
you do, which can weaken your relationship with your boss and peers.”
- Establish a line of open communication. If you are honest and communicate openly with your supervisor, this will help build transparency and trust in the relationship, Mazur explains. Hockett suggests scheduling a weekly or bi-weekly phone or in-person meeting (15 to 30 minutes). “Use this time to build rapport, share progress and seek advice. If possible, try to get out of the office for lunch or coffee every so often with them.”
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