By Tony Deblauwe
In my book, Tangling
with Tyrants: Managing the Balance of Power at Work, employees who report
to a difficult or “bad” boss are shown what to do to effect change in the
relationship. Day-to-day it’s important to zero in on what your boss is looking
for from you regardless of your boss’s personality. Clearly nobody wants to work
with an angry, stressed out boss. The
atmosphere at work is invariably better when the boss is happy. Breaking down into core components, here are
some easy ways to keep
your employer satisfied.
1. Focus On Work
A recent study concluded that employees commonly waste 20%, or 1.7 hours of their workday. There are many factors that weigh into this of course, but the takeaway is valid. Employees who show focus on work despite the challenges (of their boss or work environment in general) are regarded more favorably. That’s not the same as being a “yes” person; it’s about dedication to work and wanting to do a good job. People who complain all the time come across as victims of their environment, not participants in it. So don’t let your efficiency falter—be accountable to your productivity. If you have problems or encounter roadblocks, talk to your boss and offer solutions to make improvements.
2. Add Value To Your Services
Every employee brings a certain amount of value to the company he or she works for. When you stop to think about it, the work you supply for your employer is a product. Work is a two way street. You offer skills and the company pays you for it. Simplistic as it is, that’s the agreement. Make a habit of enhancing the product you deliver – do things right the first time and be willing to improve, too. Negotiate what you deliver around your core strengths. Be the expert or at least perceived as such. The UPOD (under promise-over deliver) doctrine has some merit. If you are “that good” then deliver to your boss the goods (strong outcomes) consistently.
3. Save Money For Your Company
As you go about your work, be mindful of cost-cutting measures that could help to improve your business’s bottom line. There’s always the simple things like avoiding everyday work stuff like excess printer ink, paper, and office supplies in general. Then there’s the more strategic and creative items like reducing vendor costs, finding process efficiencies that impact budget, and of course challenging yourself to find longer term revenue gains (if you are in a role to do that). The key premise is keep thinking beyond the immediate situation (i.e. cost cuts only) and your boss will appreciate it.
4. Treat Customers Well
Probably the biggest “no duh” in business. Great customer service is essential to the success of every kind of business. If you treat customers well (internal and external), they are likely to return; speak well of you and/or the organization. And what is most often the case—difficult customers who are well treated tend to become some of the best customers a business can have. Making customers happy makes your boss’s job easier so this is one of the best ways that you can please him or her. Showcase your client problem resolution prowess and be regarded as an invaluable asset.
5. Be Nice To Your Boss
Everyone likes to be treated well. Be friendly without resorting to brown-nosing
or other behaviors that are pretend surface-level pleasantries. Granted if you
have a bad boss maybe this is harder and your “niceness” is not authentic, but a
genuine regard for playing nice with your boss in order to get work done is
ok. Most people can spot a faker so be
nice to the point it makes professional sense to do so. Don’t compromise who
you are and how you feel in order to pass as Eddie Haskell.
6. Be Honest
32% of workers called in sick to get a day off, according to a careerbuilder.com survey. The same survey showed that 10% had done so three times over the course of a year. Not surprisingly, 27% of managers have actually fired someone for pretending to be sick.
Calling in sick is one thing, but don’t lie in general, and certainly don’t lie to your boss. Don’t blame other people for your own shortcomings. Honesty and maturity are traits everyone appreciates. Take accountability for a mistake, always try to solve something, and if it’s bad news, talk about how you are handling things. Like in other qualities, problem-resolution oriented thinking is always best. And of course, the truth does set you free.
7. Ask For Feedback
Feedback is a wonderful tool for assessing the quality of
your work. When you ask your boss for
feedback, you show respect. If you then
utilize the feedback to improve your work, it will make a star of you. Of
course we all know the “constructive” feedback mechanism sometimes feels like a
hammering rather than something you can work with. If you see it in yourself
it’s one thing, when it’s pointed out and catches you off guard, it’s something
else.
You consider the source and determine if your boss is really saying “fix this
behavior” or is it more an FYI. Balanced feedback is key.
You want both sides from your boss. Sometimes you have to remind him or her of
actions, or ask for clarification so that the feedback is accurate. In most
cases, take the feedback in stride and adjust as needed.
8. Make Learning A Priority
Focusing on personal development via continuing education is a good way to enhance your value as an employee. Simply cross training (on-the-job training) for additional work functions will make you stand out and will give you a better chance for promotion. Depending on budget, you can assess your development needs and align coursework appropriately. Many people self-study by buying the books they need and expensing it. Sometimes you are on your own to stay ahead, so join internet groups, and live meeting groups or organizations to stay relevant.
9. Be Loyal
Loyalty is an interesting concept these days. The economy
and bad business management decisions have sent thousands to the unemployment
line. Are people really loyal or fearful of what’s out there so they hang on?
As the economy improves and we get back to normal, it will be interesting to
see how much job
jumping there will be.
In the meantime, it still holds true that employers appreciate loyalty from
their good workers. You may not be
getting a raise or promotion this year, but the right attitude of hanging in
there despite grim financial news is always appreciated. Be respectful of
what’s happening to the business not just your personal situation.
Be a help, not a hindrance, to your boss who also has to manage different
priorities with little resources. Show you’re on board even if that means you
have to keep your head down for a while. Be proactive in keeping the team
environment upbeat and dare I say show be a true “team player.” Treat your
workplace and business conditions as personally as you do your private life.
Your boss will thank you for it.
10. Play Well With Others
Work on improving your interpersonal relationships with
people at every level of your company. This is especially true with your
immediate team, but cross-functionally as well. It’s so easy to slip into
berating behavior of others outside your group, but your boss will notice. Even
if your boss gets in on the bashing of other teams, take the other side.
Don’t project your disdain, manage it. Remember to follow the golden rule of treating
everyone as you would like to be treated, even if that’s not what you are
getting back. As a professional, you’re above petty behavioral quips. Be the
bigger person and push through, work on solutions, not roadblocks. Doing that
keeps your thinking clear and you stand out modeling the right behavior to your
boss.
What other things do you do to keep your boss happy?
