I want to be good at what I do, and I bet you do, too. Though the motivation may differ—a promotion, a raise, the Employee of the Month award, or to simply feel good about yourself—there’s no denying that the desire to succeed is a powerful one.
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But in order to be successful, there are certain people we must work harmoniously with—the most important one being your boss. When it comes to your career, your manager plays a key role in your growth and achievements. And let’s face it—if we don’t get along with said boss, the role she begins to play is “roadblock.”
And while there is, unfortunately, no secret formula to making your supervisor think you’re great—and thus eliminating that barrier—below are some things you can do in every job that should earn you a big thumbs up.
Having a good relationship with your boss is crucial for success and job satisfaction. When your boss likes and respects you, they are more likely to give you opportunities, listen to your ideas, and have your back. On the flip side, if your boss doesn’t like you, your work life can quickly become miserable.
Luckily, there are many things you can do to get on your boss’s good side. Here are 10 tips for making your boss like you:
1. Be Engaged and Provide Solutions
The number one way to impress your boss is to stay engaged during team meetings and provide smart solutions to problems. When issues come up, don’t sit there silently. Speak up and offer ideas to resolve the situation. Show that you are thinking critically about how to improve things. Even if your solutions don’t end up getting used, your boss will appreciate that you are invested and want to help.
2. Learn Their Communication Style
Take some time to observe how your boss prefers to communicate. Do they like quick emails? Drop-ins at their office? Scheduled one-on-one meetings? Formal memos? Understanding their preferred communication style shows that you respect them as a leader. Adapt your communication approach to align with their preferences as much as possible. This will make your interactions smoother and more effective.
3. Hold Yourself Accountable
Bosses like employees who take ownership of their work When you make a mistake, don’t make excuses or point fingers Admit your error, apologize, and have a plan to prevent it from happening again. Similarly, if you’re given constructive feedback, accept it gracefully and vow to improve. Taking responsibility for your performance and following through on your commitments makes you more trustworthy in your boss’s eyes.
4. Dress Professionally
While many workplaces are casual these days it’s still important to dress appropriately for your office environment. Understand the company dress code, written and unwritten and aim to meet or exceed it. Dressing professionally shows your boss that you respect them and the workplace. It also makes you appear more mature and authoritative to clients and customers.
5. Be Punctual
Being punctual shows your boss that you value their time and your colleagues’ time. Be on time (or early) for meetings, deadlines, and any other scheduled events. If you realize you’re going to be late, communicate proactively to reset expectations. Build in buffer time throughout your day as needed. Consistently showing up when expected proves that you are reliable and organized.
6. Take Pride in Your Work
Do your best work on every project, no matter how small or mundane it may seem Bosses notice when employees consistently produce shoddy or careless work. But they also notice when someone pursues excellence, even on routine tasks Bringing energy and your A-game every day demonstrates your dedication. Going above and beyond when needed also earns major brownie points.
7. Keep Your Boss Informed
While managers don’t want to micromanage, they do want to be kept in the loop. Provide regular progress updates on key projects and initiatives. Give them a heads up about any roadblocks you encounter. Run important decisions by them to get their take. Your boss will feel more comfortable trusting you with autonomy if they know you’ll keep them informed.
8. Maintain a Positive Attitude
Bosses prefer to work with upbeat, enthusiastic team members versus negative complainers. Even on bad days, try to keep a can-do perspective. Don’t whine about tedious tasks or trash-talk coworkers. If you have concerns, frame them constructively by suggesting potential solutions. Focusing on fixing problems rather than complaining shows maturity and leadership skills.
9. Get to Know Your Boss as a Person
Take some time to get to know your boss as more than just your superior. What are their interests outside of work? What motivates them? What management style do they prefer? Building a rapport on a personal level makes your relationship warmer and more understanding. It also helps you customize your communication approach to suits their personality.
10. Express Appreciation
Everyone likes to feel appreciated at work, including your boss. When your manager puts in extra effort, helps you out, or shares useful feedback, thank them sincerely. Consider an email, handwritten note, or speaking to them directly. Small gestures of gratitude can go a long way in making your boss feel that you value their time and leadership.
Building a solid relationship with your manager takes effort, self-awareness, and empathy. Implementing these 10 tips can help you gain your boss’s trust, respect, and liking over time. With a supportive boss on your side, you are better positioned to access opportunities, navigate challenges, and find satisfaction in your job.
What other strategies have you found useful for getting along with your boss? Comment below to keep the discussion going!
Admit When You Make a Mistake
No one is perfect—slip-ups happen from time to time, and that’s OK. Acknowledging you messed up will show accountability, help you learn, and prevent your boss from being blindsided when the error surfaces on its own (which it will).
1 Take Initiative to Further Your Learning
Just because you’re out of school doesn’t mean your education has to end. Show you want to better yourself by signing up for a class, attending a workshop, or watching YouTube videos about cool Excel tricks. Want to hit the ball out of the park? Take it one step further and share what you learn with your team.
How to Get Your Boss To Like You
How to make your boss like you?
Performing well at work is important, but the most effective people are the ones who work well with other associates at work. Constructing a solid relationship with your boss will give you a better understanding of his or her expectations. Here are 10 tips to make your boss like you and to win his or her approval: 1. Make yourself indispensable
How do you make your boss Love You?
It’s easier than you think. Here are six ways to make your boss love you: 1. Find Reasons To Like And Respect Your Manager Human beings aren’t stupid. We are biologically programmed to know when someone is faking admiration for us. Our gut tells us not to trust them, and our suspicion goes into high gear. Your manager is no different.
What does it mean if your boss likes you?
Although it may not always indicate that they like you for your personal qualities, it indicates that your boss values and respects you as a professional. Managers usually entrust loyal customers to highly qualified specialists. If your manager asks you to work with an important and potentially profitable client, it means they like you.
How can I Make my Boss’ life easier?
Your goal as an employee should be to make your boss’ life easier. If you can help your manager look good to their manager, you’re in good shape. It’s simple logic; it’s less simple to put into action. To help you out, we’ve rounded up nine ways you can take the hard stuff off your boss’ plate — starting today.
