11 tips on how to work better with your boss

Updated: May 21, 2021

FEB 21, 2021

(NYTIMES) - Managing your relationship with your bosses can be as important as tackling your task list. Tuning in to their preferences, communicating skilfully and earning their trust with stellar work can improve your chances at recognition, raises and promotions.

This mindset, known as managing up, is part of your job, said Mr Gorick Ng, a career coach for Harvard students and the author of the coming book The Unspoken Rules: Secrets To Starting Your Career Off Right. Here are some work habits that can foster positive relationships up the chain.

1. Paddle in the same direction

Make sure you and your manager are working towards a common objective, said Ms Romy Newman, co-founder of the career website Fairygodboss. "You are making micro-decisions all day on how to allocate your time," she said, so review your to-do list with your manager and make sure your work priorities align.

2. Be sure of 'what, how and by when'

Make sure you have all the details and due dates when your boss assigns something new.

Precision is more critical in remote work because it is not as easy to check in casually for clarification. "Ambiguity," Mr Ng cautioned, "is almost guaranteed to lead to misunderstandings." And redoing work isn't fun for anyone.

As part of any new assignment, suggest a time and type of check-in, for example, "Can we schedule a short status meeting for next week?" By making the suggestion yourself, you can specify the timeframe and format that allow you to do your best work.

3. Adapt to your manager's style

Pay attention and deliver your work in the way your boss prefers. Does your manager love to delve into the data with you? Get ready for that conversation. Does he prefer one-page write-ups to PowerPoint slide decks? Providing what your manager is looking for will make both of your jobs smoother.

4. Do it before being asked

Understanding your responsibilities and doing them at the highest level is one key to manager happiness, said Ms Jameeka Green Aaron, chief information officer at United Legwear and Apparel, a company of about 750 employees.

She offered an example from her own team: "Way down on my list was checking in to see if all our employee laptops were up to date."

Before she got to that item, though, her asset manager came to her with a spreadsheet of the company's laptops, noting which were near the end of their service life.

He had also already researched new models to buy and found multiple price quotes for the replacements. "I would have asked him about it, but the fact that he beat me to it is great. All I had to do was review and sign off."

5. Bring recommendations

When asking your manager for guidance on an issue, explain the options you thought about, which you prefer and why.

This shows you have done the research, understand the details and can smartly evaluate trade-offs. It also lets your boss choose among options rather than have to come up with them.

When you ask for feedback or a decision, specify a due date. "Don't let them put off a decision for later, because later can turn into never," Mr Ng said.

Let your manager know that you need feedback by 5pm on Tuesday, for example, so you can send a report out at 5pm on Wednesday, or that if you do not hear back by a certain time, you will move forward with your plan.

Article By: The Straits Times