Things Your Boss Doesn’t Tell You (But Should)
Adding some personal insight & keys to be successful into this one…
What you do outside of work matters. Your boss doesn’t watch your every move but they are keeping tabs on you. Your outside activities & even what post on your social media, blogs, or how you interact with clients, customers, the office, etc., ABSOLUTELY matters (especially if you’re in a position of being in the public eye). Ask yourself, “Would I want my boss to read or hear about this?” Be careful about how much you share about your weekend, personal life, or what a jerk [you think] your coworker is. Otherwise, your boss may start seeing you in a less-than-professional light. Words travel fast.
Your attitude is as important as your assignments. Like em or not, office politics matter…day to day and in the long run. What may be more important than completing tasks & following directions, is your ability to work well with others. Even if you’re getting the job done, if your coworkers find you to be abrasive, rude, or unprofessional, it may be difficult for your boss to promote you.
Speak up! Make yourself heard (just don’t always be the loudest one in the room). The most valuable employees take initiative but also know how to exercise patience and wait their turn. Communicate your ideas thouroughly but don’t be overbearing or get defensive if you’re suggestion isn’t used. In meetings, rather than be center of attention, be attentive but outspoken when needed.
Follow your boss’ lead. Best way to show you are ready for a promotion or are management material, think like a manager. Do not act like the boss by barking orders to coworkers (esp if they are in a higher position). Focus on your own tasks and be eager to help but not take over. See the bigger picture!
Toot your own horn. Your boss can’t keep tabs on what every employee is doing every day…it’s up to you to let them know! When you wrap up a project, send an email to your team and CC your boss. And speaking of performance reviews…
Nobody likes performance reviews! They’re just as painful for your boss as they are for you. However, you can help make them easier. On the day of your review, rather than trying to recall the details of a project from months ago, keep track of your successes. Keep lines of communication with your boss regularly throughout the year, not just on review day.
Don’t kiss ass but give management positive feedback too. If you make your bosses look & feel good, you’ll reap the rewards! Your boss is the one doing the encouraging but you can turn the tables by complimenting them in front of peers.
Be a problem solver. I hear this all the time, “Be apart of the solution, not the problem.” Your ability to think on the fly and offer advice or help gets noticed. Present your boss with possible options. Even if they instruct you to do something entirely different, they’ll appreciate that you’re thinking ahead. Also, don’t BE the problem or egg on a situation by inserting your personal feelings. That’s counteractive.
Take responsibility for your actions. Don’t push the blame elsewhere. Acknowledge your mistake and don’t repeat it. For most bosses, even if you’re a nice person with decent skills, they can’t promote if you refuse to accept the blame when you mess up. When you make a mistake, keep it sincere. The phrase, ‘I’m sorry. It won’t happen again,’ goes a long way.” Mean it ;)
