This is the fourth post in a series about how we can all become better employees. The first post was about being early,the second was about having an opinion, and Friday’s was about doing more.

Photo by Editor B

When it comes time to job advancement, whether it’s getting promoted by your current employer, getting a pay raise, or getting a better job somewhere else, the biggest advocate you’ll have is your boss. That’s the person who will battle for you when salary reviews come up or if you’re interviewing somewhere else and that company wants to talk to a reference. If your current boss speaks well of you, that’s the best kind of recommendation you’ll get.

So it makes sense to get that person “on your side.” That may sound sneaky or underhanded, but it’s just logical if you ask me.

Hate is Such a Strong Word

Lots of people hate their boss—I understand that, especially if he/she’s a real jerk. I’m lucky right now, but I know what it’s like to have a big boss that defies reason. Still, wouldn’t you rather be on their good side? If your answer to that is “Hell, no! I will hate my boss forever!” Well, then you need a new job ASAP. But otherwise it makes no sense to be confrontational towards your boss just because he/she gets to tell you what to do—that’s just life. Deal with it. Be smart about it.

What Can I Do?

• Go Beyond: This goes back to the third post of the series, but if you think about it in terms of helping out your boss, you might find it easier to come up with a project to work on. What is on his/her plate that is important, is taking up a lot of time, etc.? Put yourself in his/her shoes for a second and ask yourself, “What could I really use some help on right now?” Or even better, come up with something that your boss hasn’t even thought of and propose it, tell him/her why it’s a good idea and how it will help.
• Make Your Boss Look Good: You’ll see this bit of advice all over the ‘net, and you may have a tough time grasping it until you’re in a very specific situation. Like a meeting or something where your team gets credit for doing something well and your boss is coming out like roses. You may want to jump in and say, “Actually, the team and I did that—not (boss’s name).” Don’t. What’s the point of alienating your boss or bringing him/her down in front of even bigger bosses? There is a chain of command to follow here and, unless something unsavory is going down, you need to follow it if you’re looking to climb it.
• Don’t Whine: I have trouble with this because it’s in my nature to ask a lot of questions and try to find a better way of doing things. So no matter what project comes our way, I’m always like “Wouldn’t it be better if we did it this way instead of the way we were told?” Sure, it can be argued that’s a good thing, but it’s also annoying if you contest every little project under the sun. If you’re going to “whine,” try to make it constructive and positive. Nobody likes a whiner.
• Have Open Communication: I’m lucky—I have bosses that I feel I can just go into their offices and bring up any topic I want. Not that I will, but having that open communication really helps make me feel better. If something is really bugging me, I can go to my boss and express that. In fact, my boss welcomes this—he thinks it’s important. I’m a whiner, but I can express some of my whinyness to my boss and get if off my chest, so it helps take that kind of stuff off my chest. This one may not be in your hands, but if there’s anything you can do to foster it, do it.

It may sound weird giving this much credit to one person at your job, but they really do hold the key to your own success. Oddly enough, if I was writing “How to be a better boss,” I would probably put a bullet in there about taking care of your own employees along with impressing the higher ups. But let’s not over complicate things here: helping your boss out is something valuable employees bring to the table. Making a habit of it can only help you climb up higher within your organization or find a better job outside it.

What other tips do you think I should add when it comes to one’s boss?

Check out the rest of the Being a Better Employee series.

Other Posts You May Like:

• Being a Better Employee Series: Go Beyond