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Four Keys to an Excellent Relationship with Your Boss

August 10, 2006 By Nagesh Belludi 2 Comments

The relationship with your boss is a critical aspect of a favorable work atmosphere and your job satisfaction. The boss forms a vital link between you and the upper management and thus represents the entire organization to you. Below are four key principles to build and sustain an excellent relationship with your boss.

  1. The relationship between you and your boss is likely a circular relationship: if you like your boss, your boss likes you; if your boss likes you, you like your boss. Overlook actions of your boss that may disappoint you and be conscious of how you react to conflicts.
  2. Suit his/her work style. Understand your boss’s thought processes, preferences and pet-peeves. If your boss is hands-on, favors raw data for making decisions, resists confrontations or avoids risk, you must be sensitive and suit his/her style. You may be able to sell your boss on the merits of changes to his/her style; however, realize that change takes time and is not guaranteed.
  3. When your boss succeeds, you succeed. Understand your boss’s role, his/her strengths, weaknesses and goals. Ask how you can support his/her objectives and the organization’s goals. Do not assume his/her expectations of you. Communicate continually by detailing progress on your assignments and by giving prompt feedback on challenges you face and asking for support.
  4. Realize that one hand cannot clap. Fundamentally, people are different; their perspectives and work-styles are different. You are very lucky if you have a boss who is competent and supportive—somebody who is genuinely interested in your assignments and career advancement. Recognize early if things are not going well; be open and straight-forward in communicating your thoughts and if changes you made have not improved the situation appreciably, be prepared to leave.

Success in building relationships does not come easily. Co-operating with your boss involves being proactive and tolerant, making mistakes and learning from them. The onus is on you to effectively manage this key relationship and achieve the best results for yourself, your boss and the organization.

Wondering what to read next?

  1. How Not to Handle a Bad Boss
  2. The High Cost of Winning a Small Argument
  3. Tips for Working for a Type-A Boss
  4. You Can’t Serve Two Masters
  5. No Boss Likes a Surprise—Good or Bad

Filed Under: Managing People, Sharpening Your Skills Tagged With: Conflict, Managing the Boss

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Robert Plumer says

    August 31, 2009 at 2:25 AM

    I like these tips. I especially liked 2 & 3. I’ve found that figuring out what a boss needs or wants and doing your best to satisfy his goals makes life a lot easier in the long run. No two bosses are alike. They each have there own quirks and styles. Many times you have to be flexible to his way of doing things.

  2. ravinder says

    October 14, 2013 at 8:58 AM

    great to learn

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About: Nagesh Belludi [hire] is a St. Petersburg, Florida-based freethinker, investor, and leadership coach. He specializes in helping executives and companies ensure that the overall quality of their decision-making benefits isn’t compromised by a lack of a big-picture understanding.

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