Learning how to manage your boss is a crucial skill in developing your career, and the good news is that you can begin making changes immediately. The idea of having a good working relationship with your boss is appealing; however, the key is recognizing the signs of when you need to sharpen your skills.
If you find conversations with your boss are leaving you in a state of doubt and frustration, chances are you missed some signs along the way. Overlooking communication mishaps can be easy to do if you had successful boss/subordinate relationships in the past. Not all bosses are the same and as your career progresses, part of your growth comes from being exposed to different management styles.
One cue that signals a time to step up your skills in managing your boss is when you start having a series of miscommunication incidents where bad feelings toward one another begin to form.
76806707The first step toward managing your boss begins with you. Developing self-awareness leads to identifying your strengths and weaknesses. Knowing your emotional triggers is important when reporting to a boss that has a different communication style. For example, your boss might prefer to communicate everything through email or instant messaging while you prefer face-to-face meetings.
Since your boss makes up half of the relationship, spend time focusing on his or her strengths and weaknesses, as well as his or her preferred work style and goals. All of this information will help you develop a more productive and understanding relationship with your boss.
Understanding your boss strengthens your work relationships in a number of ways. It increases your ability to empathize with your boss and helps you keep things in perspective. Getting a clear picture of the pressures your boss faces as well as his or her expectations will help you adapt to his or her goals and anticipate upcoming needs.
Here are some tips to help you manage your boss and build a great working relationship:.
Be aware of your reactions.
Ask clarifying questions to help you gain understanding.
Identify the way he or she likes to communicate.
Watch for non-verbal cues.
Recognize his or her work style. According to Peter Drucker bosses can fall into two camps: “listeners” and “readers.”
Take ownership of your career.
What challenges have you encountered in managing your boss?
