According to Prerna Salla on the website, Buzzel.com, a good working
relationship with your boss is a very significant and important
aspect of your working life. Ms. Salla could not be more spot on
about the importance of a viable and harmonious working relationship.
No matter how challenging your boss is to work for, it is critical
for you to do your part in maintaining a good working relationship.
He or she needs to rely upon your co-operation to get the work done.
Your boss also needs to back you up when you need help if something
gets in the way of getting your job done. Even though, on paper,
you report to him/her, it is more realistic to think of your relationship
and the communications you have with your boss as a two-way street.
Here are a few tips keeping a harmonious and productive relationship
with your boss:
- Don't try to change your boss - If he is difficult
on you or if you dislike him. Instead, try to understand him and
his manner of working and make an attempt to adjust accordingly.
Keep in mind that he has a boss that tells him what needs to be
done and that can affect you. Find out what aspects of work he
is particular about and pay extra attention to those. You can
learn many things from your boss and gain from his experience
and exposure to work.
- Try to understand your boss - Try to know
what he likes best and what he hates. After all he is a human
and he will have his strengths and weaknesses. Don't look down
on him or focus on his negative aspects. Develop a positive attitude
towards him. He might be a great person but probably your negative
attitude is keeping you from seeing his good qualities and virtues.
- Keep him/her informed - The boss doesn't like
to hear about things affecting his area of responsibility from
other people. Always inform him first whether it is the latest
development on your project, an issue in the office or even a
personal concern. And never surprise him with new information
in public. It might insult his feelings and the trust you have
been building might be damaged.
- Invite the boss to team activities- Make your
boss feel like a part of the family, not an outsider. He will
appreciate your acceptance and friendly gesture. If your department
has special occasion lunches or gift exchanges, be sure to include
the boss in the advance planning.
- Always give him a helping hand and ask how you can contribute
- Your boss will definitely value an offer which makes his task
easier without him having to ask you to help him out. Be proactive
and ask if you can help in any way to make his current project
successful.
- Make sure you keep your word when you give it
- If you think you won't be able to accomplish a project in the
given time frame or within the given parameters, offer workable
alternatives. Don't surprise your boss by letting him find out
that you have not met your commitment to a deadline. Instead,
let him know. "I ran into a number of problems gathering
all the information for the report. I'm close to getting it put
together, but it looks like I won't be able to complete this by
tomorrow. Can you give me one or two more days to get it done?"
- Work on building and maintaining rapport -
Get to know your boss (not as "the boss," but as a person.
There is nothing like forging a bond with your boss. Once both
of you build an understanding, you will be able to work better
and communicate more effectively. Keep in mind that, to achieve
this goal and develop good teamwork will require additional effort
on your part. You will have to make ongoing adjustments to the
needs and moods of your boss. Bosses can have bad days, know when
to give him/her space until the storm clouds clear. Do a "weather
check." Ask your boss how the day is going. If it is not
a sunny day, ask if you can help but respect the closed door when
a storm is brewing.
- Never beat up on your boss or your department
- What you say about your boss to a colleague in a candid moment
can take on a viral life of its own. Even when things are not
going smoothly in your department, be a professional and keep
your opinions off the office gossip network. If your boss learns
about negative opinions attributed to you, it can affect his attitude
towards you. It is always better to keep negative opinions (no
matter how valid) to yourself.
