While you probably think of management as the relationship you have with the people who work for you, management is a two-way street and your boss requires some relationship management too.\u00a0 Even if you\u2019re an entrepreneur, you may have a similar relationship with a board chair or someone else in your sphere of influence.<\/p>\n
First of all, it\u2019s important to understand that managing the boss is not selling out or acquiescing to anything.\u00a0 Managing the boss and thinking about how best to do that does not mean you love everything she\/he does.\u00a0 This is like so many other issues we discuss in career coaching.\u00a0 There\u2019s a balance, so be smart!<\/p>\n
Let\u2019s start with an easy one.\u00a0 You have a responsibility to try to make your boss look good.\u00a0 When you do your job well, she has an opportunity to shine with her boss.\u00a0 You can also go beyond doing your job well to taking something off the boss\u2019s plate \u2013 something that she doesn\u2019t particularly like to do \u2013 and making her look good.<\/p>\n
Don\u2019t become indispensable to your boss.\u00a0 In other words, it\u2019s nice to take the occasional task off boss\u2019s plate; however, not so much that you become indispensable.\u00a0 If you do that, you could become someone, he will not promote because he couldn\u2019t bear to lose you.<\/p>\n
Think about managing your boss as finessing the boss.\u00a0 Ask yourself what does he\/she value, how does she think or what motivates him?\u00a0 If you have an understanding of what makes her tick, you\u2019ll be better able to manage and finesse your relationship with the boss.<\/p>\n
A very important way to advance at work is to demonstrate that you have ideas for change and solutions to problems.\u00a0 These ideas, however, are only as good as the ability to sell them and get them implemented to prove your value.\u00a0 Think about your boss, what is her communication style or workplace lingo.\u00a0 Talk to her in a way that speaks to her communication style as the best way to sell your ideas.<\/p>\n
I have always found that keeping one step ahead of the boss at work is a great way to be recognized and rewarded.\u00a0 Everybody has a full plate; everybody is busy. \u00a0If you can stay a step ahead of your boss, anticipating his\/her needs, then you are more likely to please the boss and get ahead.<\/p>\n
So you see, it\u2019s all about relationship, like so many things.\u00a0 Management is not just for your subordinates; management also applies to your coworkers, colleagues and your boss.\u00a0 Regardless of whether your boss is a man or a woman, these basic rules for relationship management apply.<\/p>\n
Employees and bosses both have their issues, because we\u2019re human and certain personality chemistry clicks while other personalities might clash.\u00a0 At work, this is not about being friends, this is about learning to examine the situation, how you can lead within your team and manage your relationship with your boss.<\/p>\n