All too often, supervisors and bosses are seen as the enemy. When a team unites against their bosses it could have a negative effect on the progression of your career. Many employees expect a lot from their bosses because employees automatically assume that their bosses are capable of managing them effectively, but most often, bosses have been promoted for their productivity, knowledge, strategy, and all their talents rather than for their ability to deal with people in general. It is a win, win situation when you help your boss manage you better. When they do a good job, you look great too.
Helping Your Boss Manage You
Your boss will look at you as a great employee when you do your job great! No matter what we really think, our bosses really want us to be successful. When you are doing a good job, then it does reflect on your bosses and overall this is great for the company. Bosses really don’t know how to go about getting the best out of us, most of the time. Bosses may have completed team leading classes or have attended management training courses, but most of your bosses will actually learn more about managing employees on the job over time. Why don’t you start helping your bosses manage you instead of complaining about them and their flaws in the breakroom, so you can receive a promotion? You will learn quickly if you help your boss manage you better will only result in a pleasant workplace and the results will be highly beneficial.
Why should you help your boss? I’m not paid to train my boss.
This is a true statement, but if your boss is not great at managing you, then they will surely not do it any better if you don’t help them. You should not think that you are making your boss’s job easier by helping them manage you or you shouldn’t think that you are only helping your boss get another promotion, but what you should think is that you are making the work atmosphere enjoyable and productive, which will only allow you to stand out and shine. The goal is to help your boss assist you in performing your job better.
- Knowing Your Boss’s Pet Peeves and Preferences
When you know what makes your boss irritated, how your boss works, and what your boss actually requires from you will be a step in the right direction that will help your boss manage you better. When you know these important factors you will be able to ask your boss questions that you know they can answer, addressing situations without going over the line, and never purposely irritating your boss. When you know that your boss doesn’t appreciate or like to be told how to do things on the job or you telling your boss that all the tasks is on your to-do list, then incorporating valuable information with your personal strategy will provide a working relationship with you and your boss that is balanced and this will help you to guide your boss in managing you better.
- Setting Boundaries
It depends on what you have learned about your boss, you can start setting boundaries. When you set boundaries you will let your boss know that there is an established working hours and urgent tasks can be handled, even at the last minute. Are you willing to take calls from your boss on the weekend? If there is a major deadline at work, are you willing to work more hours? Are you open to working extra days and times during the month? Are you flexible? You should say yes to all of these questions because this will reduce stress that you are feeling when your boss assigns you with tasks at the last minute.
- Good Behavior Reinforced
Good behavior that is reinforced is a nice technique that actually works, even if this sounds like you are training a dog. When you see that your boss has the type of behavior that you appreciate and like, such as providing feedback that is detailed to you, and providing you guidance for a project, then you can thank your boss first, then your boss may do the same to you. You could say: “Would you mind providing me with the same feedback as you did on the last project with this project as it was very helpful?” Or you could say: “On the last project it was very helpful to me when you let me work from home. I was more productive.” You could also say: “For the next project can we use the same work ethic?” These are praises that is very beneficial for your boss and for yourself.
- Request Regular Reviews of Your Work
You should request that your boss reviews your work regularly and during this time you can let your boss know how you like to work and you can even discuss with your boss on how you and your boss can have a better working relationship, such as: “If you work great under pressure especially with tight deadlines, then let your boss know that, so your boss isn’t giving you more stress and not harping about the project. You can say: “I’m thrilled that you were pleased with the project XXX results, and I wanted to let you know that I work great under pressure and some of my best work is done at the last minute. I will always deliver the project on time and you can trust me to do that, even if it looks like that I might not make the deadline. I really do appreciate that you have trusted me with tight deadlines and that you allowed me to prove that to you.”
You should communicate to your boss if you are the type of employee that likes to work solo or you need to have plenty of time for ideas. You could say: “Do you mind letting me know beforehand about any important issues that needs brainstorming because I think better when I know ahead of times.” Remember, your boss wants you to do your best.
- Know Yourself and Know How You Work
If you want to help your boss manage you better, then you need to know yourself and know how you like to work. You shouldn’t expect your boss to know what you need or want, because your boss has no idea.
Actions to Take that will Help your Boss Manage you Better:
These tips will let you know why you should help your boss manage you better. You should use these tips to help your boss, but to help yourself too!