How to make BOSS happy

One of my friends used to say, “Happy wife, happy life.”  The same could be said about having a happy boss.

When your boss is happy with your performance, your stress is much less.   People who are working – especially those in companies that have gone though several lay-offs – are under too much stress already.

Here are a bunch of ways to make sure your boss is happy.  Doing so is to your own benefit – so have at it!

1.  Be proactive

Anyone can take orders.  It’s more important to see what needs to be done and do it.  Get whatever buy-in is needed.  Be a make-it-happen type and the boss will be wearing a smile.

2.  Ask for her feedback and knowledge

Formal training may be hard to come by in difficult economic times.  If so, start unlocking the treasure chest in your boss’ head.  If you’re working for someone with 10 years of experience and you’ve got 5, there are 5 years of knowledge you can dig for.

Ad hoc questioning can help you build your own knowledge base.  Use it all you can.  Take notes when you get back to your desk.  Think about it, then ask clarifying questions.  Get every bit of knowledge you can out of your boss.

This applies to everyone you come in contact with at work.  Titles don’t matter – unlock everyone’s brain and get the info that will help you grow.

3.  Take on one of his projects

Your boss is drowning in work.  Don’t believe it?  Think all he does is delegate and sit there reading USA Today’s coverage about March Madness?  Think again.

Pry a project out of his hands and get it done.  Make sure you’re not ignoring your own work.  Then turn around and see what else he’s got around that you can help him with.  When you give him the completed report, get some knowledge or information as a return on your work.  Ask a question.  Find out his plans.  Get a deeper understanding of what your department means to the company.

4.  Find out what’s important to them

If you don’t know what your supervisor wants, you’re missing the boat.  Not having that knowledge is the prime reason people get surprised in their performance reviews.  And let’s face it – though no one likes giving or getting reviews, they’re not going away any time soon.

Don’t have a clue?  Ask today and get the top 3-5 items that are musts.  Then go back to your last review and see if you’re in alignment with what’s critical to your boss.

5.  Know which numbers matter

If the boss likes revenue, you’d better too.  Work is a numbers game.  Are they concerned about how many full time employees the company has?  Do they want to see a bigger product line with more ACME Widget products spread across the shelves at Best Buy and Fry’s?

Know the Big Three for your boss and determine how your business unit can move them in the right direction.

6.  Communicate the way your boss does

One of my bosses loved to shout over to me from his office.  Yes, I had to get up and go stand in his office 20+ times a day.  It was irritating – and a personal foible.  But it worked, was quick, and I always knew where I stood.

Every boss has a preferred method of communication, whether it’s in person, via phone or using email.  Find out what works for them and use it.

7.  Tell her it’s complete

Closure is critical.  In fact, it’s one of the most important things in business – any business.

When the task or project is done, make sure she knows it.  Don’t leave managers hanging.  Report back as soon as it’s finished – cross it off the list.  Move on to the next thing at hand.

8.  Ask what your boss reads

Maybe she reads Sports Illustrated because she’s a dyed-in-the-wool Chicago Cubs fan.  If so, you need to know that.  And if she’s checking out the Harvard Business Review daily, you’d better read up.

It’s as simple as asking for five sites the boss reads daily at the end of a meeting. Read what they’re reading and be both ahead of the game and informed. Reference what you’ve read and find ways to use it on the job.

9.  Initiate solutions

All jobs are about finding solutions to problems.  Whether you’re a surgeon trying to stop the bleeding or a security guy trying to keep people from getting into the Bruce Springsteen concert for free, you’re looking for a solution.

One of my VPs once had a sign on his desk that read “DBMP-BMA.”  It stood for “Don’t bring me problems – bring me answers.”  Do it and your boss will love you for it.

Make your boss happy.  You’ll get huge benefits from it.  By the way, Penelope Trunk also has quite a bit to say about managing up.  If you’re not familiar with her work, read it today.