How to Manage Your Boss Effectively

It is a well known fact that many people just plain don't understand or get along with their bosses. While it is true that some bosses can just be power hungry jerks, most bosses truly want to help and encourage you, the employee, in your job. However, things tend to clash on occasion and issues become personal. What we as employees must recognize is that it is just as important to manage our boss as it is our boss to manage us. Without managing your boss, it is extremely difficult to develop a mutual dependency that fosters productivity and performance.

It is extremely important that you understand what personality type your boss harbors. Most people in companies are required to take personality tests so that bosses can better understand how to make their employees more effective and productive. You as the employee should also be trying to find out the same information about your boss. Ask questions and discover what personality type your boss is so that you can work in step with his/her strong points and help with his/her weak points. Conflict in personality types is one of the biggest ways issues arise. Therefore understanding yours and your bosses' personality types will help you avoid unnecessary conflict and build mutual trust between each other.

You must also communicate with your boss! You cannot just expect your boss to always know what you are doing. According to a BNET article, creating a "core message" is vital for your success¹. Making out such a message involves letting your boss know what you are doing and why it is important to him/her. Doing this has a three-fold reward:
1) you get to understand better what you are doing because you have to write it out
2) your boss will know exactly what you are doing so he/she can know how to help you in every way possible
3) this builds credibility between you and your boss and lets him/her know that you truly care about your work and their work

The best way to cultivate a good working relationship with your boss is to truly care for his/her work. Don't over-market yourself or under-market yourself. Rather, just think about yourself less and place others ahead, especially your boss. When you truly care for someone, they feel appreciated and enjoy it (whether they show it or not). Be sure to be cultivating this type of relationship with your boss - don't try to be someone you are not! Trying to be someone you are not will leave everyone disappointed. Be yourself and attempt to understand your boss as best as you possibly can. Doing this will allow you to make great strides in having a working relationship with your superior.

1. James, Geoffrey. "How To Manage Your Boss." BNET