So much advice is given to leaders and managers on how to treat their staff. Experts share endless tips with them to show them how to make their employees happy. Yet is this actually a one-way-street? No.
How good the relationship between a boss and an employee is depends on two sides – just as in any relationship. This is why I would like to share 5 tips with all the employees out there.
If you want to have a positive and professional relationship with your boss, invest in it by doing the following:
1. Use common sense
Managers don’t want to be bothered with the smallest issues. They expect you to do your job and usually will back you up if you take a decision. Yet they need to understand why you took it. Using common sense is a pretty good way to take decisions that will not be questioned later on.
2. Come up with solutions not with problems
The news: leaders are not there to solve problems. They are there to support their team in solving problems. So, if you are challenged with some tough situation and would like to talk it through with your boss, prepare well. Define the problem and at the same time define a solution. If you do need the “go” of your boss, come up with several options (2 or 3 should be fine). Make sure you present the pros and cons and say what you recommend and why. This way, they will remember you for your excellent problem solving skills.
3. Communicate clearly
Just as with everyone, you should communicate with your boss in a clear manner. Avoid sending lengthy e-mails or calling with incomplete facts. Think about what your boss really needs to know and provide the essentials and the next steps. Avoid sending him/her a copy of nearly every e-mail. Rather report results instead of informing them of every little step of the process.
4. Give regular updates
Whether your boss has delegated a task to you, you are managing a project or you simply do your job, make sure you keep your boss in the loop. You don’t want to be chased for information, so don’t wait until you are called into the boss’s office to report. Ask for a regular one-to-one in which you report all the major developments. And do mention pending issues, too. They want to be sure that you are working on them even if there is no progress. Remember number 3 when you do your updates!
5. Appreciate, appreciate, appreciate
Your boss is human, too! Just like everyone else, s/he needs appreciation to be motivated. So don’t treat them like they are super heroes. Do express your gratitude, your joy and your surprise. For help how to show appreciation, turn to these tips.
I am curious:
All you leaders and managers: What do you expect from your employees?
All you employees: What is it that you do to have a positive relationship with your boss?
Please share your tips in the comments. Thank you.
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I think an employee can learn from the boos and the boss can learn from an employee. I like the way you put it’s a two way street.
Being a good employee is a way to appreciate your boss but employers need to show appreciation by treting their employees well.
As to have a positive relationship. Try being positive and solution oriented and see a challenge as an opportunity to grow.
Dear ladymiss,
Thanks a lot for stopping by and for adding your input to this article. I agree with you that appreciation needs to come from both sides, and naturally a bit more from the boss
.
Visit Kommboutique again soon.
Cheers,
Gaby