Provisional Blog

The relationship you have with your boss can be critical to your success at work. Here are some steps you can take to develop a positive and supportive relationship:

Be consistent.
Relationships are built on trust and if you don’t do what you say you’re going to do, then your boss won’t trust you. Meet deadlines and inform your boss about projects, mistakes, or interactions that will impact him or her.

Be positive.
Try to maintain a pleasant attitude – even when you’re boss is upset or under pressure.

Go the extra distance.
Don’t just do your job and stop there. Identify your boss’s areas of weakness or greatest challenges and ask what you can do to help – even if it’s outside the scope of your job.

Compliment your boss (but don’t kiss up).
If your boss came up with a great idea for a new product or process that you admire, compliment him or her on it. Make him or her feel valued. After all, who doesn’t like positive feedback?

Understand your boss’s work style.
What does your boss value in an employee? Frequent communication, independent workers, requests in writing? Your boss’s preferences are important, so the better you understand them, the better you will work with him or her.

Don’t overreact.
There are going to be times when you and your boss disagree. Whatever you do, don’t overreact and storm out or threaten to quit. You need to come to terms with the fact that your boss, is well…your boss and he or she has more authority and power than you do. So get over it.

Let your boss be your guide.
Your boss has a lot to teach you. Appreciate the fact that he or she is in a management role for a reason, most likely because of hard work and successful contributions. So ask lots of questions and take advantage of his or her knowledge.

Have a tip to share about building a good relationship with your boss? Let us know in the comment form below.