How to Improve Your Relationship with Your Boss?

How many times would you have thought to yourself that your boss walks away with all the credit that's due to you? And how many times have you pondered that while you have put in all the hard work, the boss has just chewed you off for lunch. If you think you are one such person, you are not alone. Millions of employees around the globe have been racking their brains with the same problem. So how come your management never noticed this fact. For all you know, your management does notice your Boss horse-riding on you to the finishing line but still hands over the trophy to the jockey. Why? That's exactly the reason why.

The horse wins the race but the jockey keeps the award.

In a typical office environment the role of your manager is to bring out the best in you so you get the team to win. In the process you take training programs, develop your skills, lose sleep over performance goals and strive to make an impressive track record. In most cases, these things may not affect you as much even if it creates an imbalance in your personal-professional life. The difference in your opinion for your manager comes in when goals are achieved. Do these achievements get shared between you and your manager? If not, that's the time you cry foul.

Employees need to realize that it's not in waiting till the last minute when all is said and done that concerns should be raised. At every step from the goals to the evaluation and at every working operational point should there be a substantial exchange of feedback.

Here are five points that you should know to bring out the best in your boss and work towards a healthy relationship

• Quitting your job is not the best solution

Most often employees solace themselves that they will soon move out of the organization but seldom does it happen in the short term. Quitting without working on the relationship is an escapist attitude and should be resorted to only in a worst case scenario

• An open communication is better than a subdued feeling

Irrespective of whether your Boss is open to feedback or not, it's your responsibility to give it to him. You need to be open to giving feedback and let now attitudes and circumstances get the better of you. Even if your feedback is met with resentment, sometime down the line it will percolate through

• Encouraging Office Politics is Hazardous to your team

While one may be tempted to talk otherwise about the boss, the sour feeling it leaves your colleagues will not earn your any respect anyways. The better thing would be to add value to your colleagues in their work and see yourself as a thought leader. Making yourself an 'asset' to your team has a much better effect in getting back your dues.

• You are responsible for your Boss's performance

If your Boss doesn't win you surely do not. Your Boss' performance is seen as a summation of the achievements of his direct reports. In the interest of your team as much as in your own interest, make your Boss's work noticeable. Your value adding abilities can't stay hidden for long.

• The Boss is not always right

Acceptance of the age old adage will only lead to a submissive work life. Take the courage to point out to your boss if you are in disagreement. Make him accountable for the decisions he takes without your consent on work that effect you.

Some of us work for money, some for personal satisfaction. Whatever is the case you will find your job more worthy when you could be happy doing your job and keeping your Boss happy through your value addition rather than being his 'yes man'. That could be a more compelling reason for your Boss to share the credits of achievements with you.