How to make your boss love your job
Deep down, we all want to be loved and recognized. No one wants conflict in their personal or professional life, or to have to deal with people who don’t care about them.
However, while family support is often unconditional, the same is not true in the workplace. If you don’t work hard, treat your colleagues with respect, and your contribution to the organization is positive, you will quickly lose the trust of your boss and your peers. What good are idle, disinterested, and confrontational employees to a boss?
In your own best interest and with your career development in mind, the goal is to establish a healthy, mutually trusting relationship with your superiors, including both your immediate bosses and other senior professionals. You won’t get very far if you don’t keep them all in mind. When you need their help, support or approval, they will be more willing to help you if you have earned their respect and recognition.
If you strive to be a good employee, it shouldn’t be too hard to get your boss on your side. Here are 14 easy steps to get your boss to “love” your work.
1. Get the basics right
First, you must be able to get the basics right. Perform the tasks you have been assigned, follow the directions you were given, at least until you master your job and understand your boss’s leadership style. Only then can you begin to think of ways to change established processes or make them more effective.
2. Deliver results
Business is a results game, so if you are a productive employee who meets objectives and consistently delivers high-quality work, you will always have the support of your boss. Your individual and collective achievements will reflect this.
3. Be aware of where you stand
When talking to your manager, always respect his or her seniority and experience. You may not agree with every decision he or she makes, but you cannot publicly question his or her authority. If you have any objections, raise them privately. Avoid doing so in front of your colleagues.
4. Keep your promises
If you say you will do something, do it. Avoid making unrealistic promises or committing to something you can’t do by the deadline. You should never say you can do something if you know you can’t. It is much better to be honest from the start. It is much better to be honest from the start.
5. Demonstrate your willingness to learn
Being enthusiastic and eager to learn new things will increase your popularity with your boss. If you can be taught new skills and techniques, passing on the knowledge to someone as eager to learn as you are, it makes the managers’ job much easier. It also enriches you so you can be more productive in the future.
6. Think independently
Performing simple tasks autonomously, without the need for constant guidance from your manager, can help reduce your workload. Most team leaders don’t have the time or energy to micromanage their employees, so if you know exactly what you need to do, just do it.
Show your boss that you can manage your tasks and workloads efficiently and meet any other challenges that come your way.
7. Be a “social leader”
If you are a friendly, approachable and motivated colleague who always takes an active role in the social life of the company, so much the better. Employers like team members who make others feel welcome and involved, especially new employees who have just joined the organization and don’t know anyone.
8. Transfer knowledge
If you have specific knowledge, skills or expertise in a particular area and want to spend time helping your colleagues, you can add significant value to your team.
9. Help new team members
New hires often take time to adjust to the pace of work and start contributing. They must first understand how the organization works and what their role is. Your manager will appreciate that you are willing to help, orient and attend to the needs of new employees.
10. Demonstrate loyalty
Employers know that it is very difficult to build a strong team if employees are constantly coming and going. High turnover can “kill” a team’s productivity. Therefore, managers will value employees who are loyal to the organization.
11. Be flexible
The more flexible you are as a professional, the better. This has to do with adapting to work shifts, office hours, the ability to travel and change offices, but also in terms of tasks and responsibilities.
12. Go the extra mile
Employers want professionals who are prepared to go beyond their job description. Are you willing to accept new challenges and whatever it takes to deliver the best results for the team?
Would you come to work early, stay late and work weekends during busy times if necessary? Are you the type to help your colleagues by taking on some of their work? Are you prepared to cover for your colleagues when they are on leave, had to leave the office or are sick?
13. Invest in your own development
Professionals who work hard and invest in their career development will always be recognized by their managers. Ambitious individuals who are willing to go the extra mile and give their best are usually the most productive and efficient. And remember: managers have a responsibility to coach their team members and ensure that they are growing professionally. Individuals who simply go about their work and stagnate, without concern for the future, make life much more difficult for senior team members.
14. Express your concerns
If you are thinking about applying for a new job, your manager will like to talk to you. Obviously, he or she won’t want to lose a valuable employee and will need to make sure that he or she has considered all possible options for you. Your boss will certainly not want to receive notice from you that you are leaving the company, unexpectedly, without having had a chance to consider promotion possibilities, salary increases and other aspects of your internal development.
Why keep your employer happy?
First of all, if you are an employee valued by your boss, you will surely enjoy your day-to-day work more and your level of satisfaction will be higher. You will not have to worry about possible conflict situations that may arise and you will be involved in everything that happens in the office. If new and attractive projects come up, you will be more likely to be considered for work on them.
But keeping your boss happy and satisfied also has to do with your career development prospects. If you’re thinking of improving or giving your career a boost – either internally or externally – having a good relationship with your boss can help and could contribute to achieving your goals.
From a purely practical standpoint, you never know when you’ll run into the same people again in the workplace. You may be applying for a job in the future at the company where your former boss works, and if he or she has a good memory of you, you have a lot to gain. However, if the relationship was strained in the past, you have a problem.