But its crucial to definitively establish that your manager is on your side. Getting along with your boss is a pretty important part of succeeding at work, as they likely control whether or not you get promoted, demoted, or fired.
Some bosses make their appreciation clear by heaping on the praise — but not all managers are so open.
Here are a number of signs that your boss probably is pretty impressed with your work even if they dont show it: Advertisement
Want to know if your boss thinks highly of you? Look for these 8 subtle but telling signs that you’ve made a great impression and earned their appreciation.
Having an awesome boss makes work life so much better One who appreciates your contributions Supports your growth, Celebrates your wins, Looks out for you,
But how can you truly tell if your boss likes you? They likely won’t come right out and say it. More often it’s reading between the lines of their words and actions
Pay attention for these 8 signs your boss likes you. Once recognized, you can keep strengthening the relationship through ongoing dedication and excellence.
1. They Challenge You
Bosses give engaging, stretching assignments to employees they believe in. If your boss trusts you with tough but doable challenges, that’s a major sign of their confidence.
Hard tasks help you expand skills and visibility. Your boss wants to develop you for bigger things ahead. View challenges as a vote of confidence rather than extra work. Knock it out of the park by leveraging your strengths and initiative.
Just beware of bad bosses who give unreasonable workloads. Good challenges energize. Bad ones overwhelm. Discern if your boss has your best interests at heart. If so, rise to meet the challenge.
2. They Trust You with Key Accounts
Does your boss rely on you for important clients, projects or presentations? That shows huge faith in your capabilities.
Critical assignments equal visibility. Visibility drives career growth. By entrusting you with must-succeed tasks, your boss signals belief in your skills.
Reward their trust by preparing thoroughly and delivering exceptional work. Go the extra mile to make your boss look good for putting you in a key role.
Just be sure to manage the additional pressure. Set reasonable expectations on delivery and don’t spread yourself too thin. Trust needs to flow both ways with your boss providing adequate support.
3. You Feel Respected
A great boss treats you with courtesy, interest and professionalism. You feel like a valued contributor, not just a worker.
Signs of respect include:
- Actively listening to your input in meetings
- Showing interest in your career goals
- Apologizing for misunderstandings
- Following up on concerns you raise
- Making eye contact when speaking to you
- Avoiding condescending language and behavior
Respect comes top-down but flows both ways. Be sure to express respect in how you interact with your boss as well.
4. They Offer Recognition
Does your boss call out your wins at team meetings or in company emails? Do they recommend you for awards or promotions? Public praise is a clear sign they think highly of your work.
But not all great bosses are outwardly effusive with praise. More introverted leaders may recognize strong performance through:
- Emails thanking you for strong deliverables
- Mentioning you positively to other managers
- Expressing appreciation privately during one-on-one meetings
- Nominating you for high-visibility projects
- Giving you the first chance at exciting opportunities
Either way, take note of sincere recognition. Then sincerely thank your boss for noticing your efforts.
5. They Ask You to Help Other Employees
Getting asked to train or mentor new team members means your boss trusts you to share knowledge and skills. Embrace the role of teacher.
Guiding others not only helps the team. It grows your leadership abilities and strengthens relationships.
Coach patiently, lead by example and focus on unlocking strengths in those you mentor. Seek feedback on your guidance skills and identify areas for your own improvement too.
If taking on teaching duties feels premature, have an open talk with your boss. Explain you want to develop more competence first. Good bosses will hear you.
6. They Provide Constructive Criticism
Think your boss likes you? Constructive criticism signals they want to see you get even better.
The key word is “constructive.” Skilled leaders frame feedback to:
- Target specific behaviors, not the person
- Focus on strengths and development areas
- Suggest alternatives, not just critique
- Offer support in making improvements
- Give timely, candid, kind feedback
Hear their suggestions with an open mind. Ask clarifying questions. Summarize the feedback to check understanding. Then mutually agree on growth priorities and next steps.
Destructive bosses tear you down rather than build you up. Don’t accept abusive language or generalization. If concerned, consult HR on whether the criticism is inappropriate.
7. They Value Your Opinion
Your boss regularly asks what you think about key initiatives and decisions. They engage you in problem-solving. You feel free to share ideas openly.
Valuing diverse perspectives maximizes performance. It requires a leader secure enough to admit they don’t have all the answers. You feel empowered to constructively challenge the status quo.
Preparation is key to adding value. Thoughtfully turn problems upside down before offering solutions. Weigh pros and cons before settling on recommendations.
Speak up respectfully in meetings but avoid domination. Follow up privately on sensitive concerns. frame suggestions around shared goals.
8. They Let You Make Decisions
Micromanagers hover and seize control. Great bosses delegate decisions and ownership within agreed guardrails.
Being trusted with decision latitude demonstrates your boss’ faith in your judgment. Avoid abusing it by:
- Making choices aligned to company needs
- Securing buy-in from stakeholders
- Escalating appropriately when required
- Owning the outcomes
- Using setbacks as lessons learned
Seek guidance when unsure but avoid second-guessing yourself. Thank your boss for empowering you with more authority. Then pay it forward by trusting your team.
Keep Building an Awesome Relationship
Knowing your boss appreciates you feels amazing. To keep it going:
- Maintain clear, candid communication
- Ask for regular feedback on performance
- Express gratitude for their leadership
- Share credit for successes
- Continue earning their trust through dedication
- Develop self-leadership skills
- Uphold company values and ethics
Great bosses inspires incredible dedication. With mutual goodwill, respect and effort, you can build a high-trust relationship filled with wins for all.
So watch for these telltale signs your boss thinks highly of you. When recognized, double down on being the kind of exemplary employee who makes their job rewarding too. Together, you’ll do great things.
Your boss challenges you because they think you are prepared for tough assignments.
If youre feeling a bit overwhelmed at times, then that might not be a terrible thing.
“The boss will probably give you more than you feel you can handle at times, not because he or she is trying to punish you, but because they want to test you on tough assignments,” said Bates. Advertisement
Don’t fret when your boss gives you more responsibility.
Managers often deputize their most talented employees. You probably wont get a gold-star badge, but you will get put in charge of important projects and even your fellow coworkers. Advertisement
10 definite signs your boss likes you romantically (and what to do about it)
How do you know if your manager likes you?
Here are some of the most common signs your manager likes you: 1. They challenge you If your supervisor regularly gives you challenging assignments or asks you to learn a new skill, they believe you can handle more than what you’re currently doing. This can be a good sign because it means they think you’re capable of handling a new responsibility.
How do you know if your boss is interested in You?
Another sign that your boss might be interested in you is if they invite you out for dinner and drinks. Even if it is under the guise of work-related conversation, if you’re the only one getting the invite, your boss probably has more on their mind than the budget.
How do you know if your boss likes you?
The signs that your boss likes you aren’t always immediately obvious. Managers may try to avoid appearing like they have staff favorites. You can keep an eye out for subtle clues that your boss thinks you’re great. Visit Business Insider’s homepage for more stories.
How do you know if your boss makes you an ideal?
This is because of your good work and great efforts that your boss sets you as an example. You’re getting to be the role model for everyone around so they can get that inspiration. And your boss wants you to teach tricks to new employees so they can learn better. So it’s a sign when your boss makes you an ideal for others.
