How to Manage Your Boss


Managing your boss effectively isn't a matter of "apple polishing" or playing politics. It involves working together to generate the best solutions for you, your boss, and your company.

With all of the attention today on learning how to manage your own career, it's surprising that one of the most critical skills you need to get ahead doesn't get much attention. That skill is the fine art of managing your boss.

There's no question that, over the course of your career, you're likely to have some great bosses and some who aren't so good. Some may be unsupportive, some may not give you the credit you deserve for your work, and some may even take out their anxieties and frustrations on you.

While few situations are as demoralizing as having a boss who consistently finds fault with you, the good news is that most bosses really want to do their best. Under most circumstances there are steps you can follow to take control of your relationship with your boss and turn a marginal relationship into a more productive one.

Many talented people are stuck in the old paradigm of expecting their boss to manage them. They take a passive, reactive stance, waiting for direction and support. They may complain about a bad boss, but do little to turn things around. They don't know the small but essential steps they can take to establish a productive dialogue.

Don't fall into this trap.

Don't assume that your boss knows what you need in order to do your job well. Don't assume that your actions are in sync with his or her expectations and priorities. Stay in touch. Communicate. Check things out.

Your Relationship with Your Boss is Critical

Your boss links you to the rest of your company. When your relationship works well, you'll know the steps to take to position yourself for the next promotion. In addition, you'll be able to secure the resources you need to perform at your best.

If you want to influence the outcome of your relationship with your boss, you have to take responsibility. Waiting for your boss's direction can ultimately hurt your chances for advancement.

Action Steps

Here are some action steps you can take RIGHT NOW to build a more productive and rewarding relationship with your boss:

  • TAKE 100% RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUR BOSS - One of the greatest career myths is that you have to wait for your boss to give you direction - that you’re somehow entitled to regular coaching, advice, and support. While this would be ideal, the fact is, your boss has a lot of other priorities besides managing you.

  • ASK FOR FACE-TIME - Schedule a time to meet if your boss doesn’t suggest it first. Bring work updates, ideas, questions, and anything else you need to discuss. Stay within your time limit and don’t forget to say, “thanks.”

  • KNOW YOUR BOSS’S PRIORITIES - Your boss’s opinion of you is critical. When you know your boss’s priorities, you can make better decisions about how to spend your time. When you link your activities to what matters most to your boss, you become a more valuable team member.

  • DON’T BE A “YES-MAN” - You don’t need to agree with everything your boss says. Although you must support your boss’s ultimate decisions, when done diplomatically and privately, disagreeing with your boss can build your credibility and make you a more valuable asset.

  • ASK WIIFH? - Before you present ideas to your boss, ask, “What’s in it for him?” Think about how your objectives further your boss’s goals and priorities. When you link your activities to benefits for your boss, you are much more likely to get support for what you want.

  • UNDER-PROMISE AND OVER-DELIVER - It’s natural to want to impress and please your boss by making big promises. However, no matter how much you actually accomplish, if you don’t meet the expectations you set, you can’t help but damage your reputation. When you deliver or over-deliver on your promises, you build credibility in the eyes of your superiors.

  • DON’T FOCUS ONLY ON PROBLEMS - Yes, your boss is busy. But just because you’re lucky to get a few moments, doesn’t mean you should focus only on difficulties. Make sure you regularly discuss positive performance and future plans.

  • OFFER SOLUTIONS - Never take a problem to your boss without offering 2 or 3 possible solutions at the same time. You want your boss to think of you as a problem-solver, not as a chronic messenger of bad news. If you simply want your boss’s input on a problem, be sure to make that clear. Otherwise your boss may feel that you are trying to transfer your problem to her.

  • ASK FOR FEEDBACK - While it’s nice to get positive feedback from your boss, negative feedback helps you improve more rapidly. If your boss doesn’t coach regularly, be sure to ask about ways that you can improve your performance.

  • ALWAYS MAKE YOUR BOSS LOOK GOOD - Visibility is critical to your career, but don’t forget that your boss is your #1 customer. As you promote yourself, do whatever you can to make your boss look good.

Practically everything you achieve in your career, you will achieve through working with others. Your future success depends greatly on your ability to effectively manage relationships with your boss, your peers, your subordinates and your customers.

Today, relationship strategies rule the world. It's up to you to learn and apply them. When you master these skills you'll find it much easier to get support for your objectives. You'll be able to advance rapidly and ultimately achieve the results you want.



© 2007 Dr. Robert Karlsberg & Dr. Jane Adler
Dr. Robert Karlsberg and Dr. Jane Adler are leading experts in Expert Performance, and authors of How to Become a Rising Star in Your Career in 60 Days or Less. For more information on the New Expert Performance System that gets YOU where you want to go, visit StarIn60.com.