How to Manage Your Boss for Career Success

How to Manage Your Boss for Career Success
With all of the attention today on learning how to manage
your career, it's surprising that one of the most critical
skills you need to get ahead doesn't get much attention.
That skill is the fine art of managing your boss.

Over the course of your career, you'll have some great
bosses and some who aren't so good. Some may be
unsupportive, some may not give you the credit you deserve
for your work, and some may even take out their own
frustrations on you.

While few situations are as discouraging as having an
incompetent boss or one who regularly finds fault with you,
the good news is that most bosses really want to do their
best. Often the right skills can help you manage your boss
and turn a marginal relationship into a more productive one.

TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR MANAGING YOUR BOSS

If you want to influence the outcome of your relationship
with your boss, you have to take responsibility. Waiting
for your boss to make the first move can ultimately hurt
your chances for advancement.

Here are some action steps you can take RIGHT NOW to build
a more productive and rewarding relationship with your boss:

1. KNOW YOUR BOSS'S PRIORITIES - Your boss's opinion of you
is critical. Linking your activities to what matters most
to him or her makes you a more valuable team member. It
also helps you make better decisions about how to spend
your time.

This doesn't mean that you need to agree with everything
your boss says. When properly handled, disagreements can
build your credibility and gain you greater support. Just
make sure that both you and your boss are aiming for the
same goals.

2. ASK WIIFH? - Before you present ideas to your boss,
ask, "What's in it for him?" Think about how your
objectives further your boss's goals and priorities. When
you link your activities to benefits for your boss, you are
much more likely to get support for what you want.

3. UNDER-PROMISE & OVER-DELIVER - It's natural to want to
impress your boss by making big promises. However, no
matter how much you actually accomplish, if you don't live
up to the expectations you set, you can't help but damage
your reputation. When you deliver or over-deliver on your
promises, you build credibility in the eyes of your
superiors.

4. DON'T FOCUS ONLY ON PROBLEMS - Yes, your boss is busy.
But just because you're lucky to get a few moments, doesn't
mean you should focus only on difficulties. Make sure you
regularly discuss positive performance and future plans.

5. OFFER SOLUTIONS - Never take a problem to your boss
without offering 2 or 3 possible solutions at the same
time. This gives you an opportunity to showcase your
problem-solving ability. And if you simply want your boss's
input on a problem, be sure to make that clear. Otherwise
you boss may feel that you are trying to transfer your
problem to her.

6. ASK FOR FEEDBACK - One of the hallmarks of top
performers is their habit of seeking out criticism to help
them improve their performance. While it's nice to get
positive feedback from your boss, negative feedback can be
more useful. If your boss doesn't coach regularly, be sure
to ask about ways that you can improve your performance.

Practically everything you achieve in your career, you will
achieve through working with others. Your future success
depends greatly on your ability to effectively manage
relationships with your boss, your peers, your subordinates
and your customers.

Today, relationship strategies rule the world. It's up to
you to learn and apply them. When you master these
strategies for managing your boss you'll find it easier to
get support for your objectives. You'll be able to earn
more, get promoted faster, and ultimately achieve the
career success you want.

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Dr. Jane Adler and Dr. Robert Karlsberg are two of North
America's top mentors to high achieving executives and
entrepreneurs. Their highly acclaimed new career success
manual "How to Become a Rising Star in Your Career in 60
Days or Less" reveals strategies to help you earn more and
get promoted faster. Visit http://www.StarIn60.com for
more info and a FR`E copy of Expert Performance:
Strategies & Tips to Accelerate Your Career.