Tips for managing your boss
It’s important to do your job and to do it well. But that is only one component of your career success. Obviously, it’s a critical one, but also important is your ability to work well with others, to be seen as a resource that can be depended upon, and one that isn’t talked about very much: managing your boss. What? My boss manages me! It doesn’t work the other way around. On the contrary, it absolutely does, and you need to be aware of it at all times and make a plan for how to successfully manage your manager.
Your boss controls many things that affect your work. Even if your boss is an idiot—and let’s be honest, it does happen—you are going to be spending significant time with him, and you need to figure out how to best work with him. Here are some tips on how to do that:
Set mutual expectations. Some bosses spell out their expectations, but in reality, most do not. Consistently vet out what your manager’s expectations are of you—don’t wait until performance review time. Then, clearly communicate what you need from him to realize those expectations. Validate that both parties understand.
Communication is imperative. Be sure to keep the boss in the loop on key projects. This doesn’t mean that he needs to be copied on every single email, or invited to all meetings, but make it a point to ensure that he knows what you’re doing, and what progress you’re making. Think of it like this: what high-level information about your work would he need to answer a question about it from his boss?
Bring up potential issues before they morph into crises. No one likes to be blindsided, so be sure that if anything has the potential to go awry, your boss is aware of it before it gets to that point. When you outline the possible scenario, offer your suggestions for how to proceed, as well as asking him for his advice and guidance.
Know your boss’s weaknesses. Your boss has weaknesses. So do you. So do we all. Hopefully, you are aware of your areas of weakness and have by now developed some work-around system. You need to understand your boss’s areas of weakness as well and help him address those limitations, if possible. For example, if your boss struggles with writing, you could offer to proofread his report before he sends it off to his manager.
Provide solutions, not excuses. When you go to your boss with a problem, have at the ready some possible solutions. If you’re struggling with this, ask for advice and guidance.
Realize that your boss is a valuable resource. Your boss is neither your task master nor the arbiter of your career success. Rather, he is someone who can help you get your job done by securing funding, making strategic introductions, or by assigning you to high profile projects. Don’t think of your boss as an impediment to getting things done, but instead as a resource that can be used to make your work more efficient.