Nanette Rundle Carroll

 

 

 

 


 

Does Your Boss
Respect You?

 

In today’s uncertain economy, having your boss’ respect is more valuable than ever. The following are simple behaviors that indicate your supervisor holds you in high esteem:


Eye Contact

  • Gauge your boss’ level of eye contact. Lots is generally good, none is bad.

 

Facial Expressions

  • One researcher found that respect is shown with a slightly tilted head and wider eyes. Observe your boss' face as she talks to team members; you’ll be able to tell how she views your colleagues without her saying a word.

 

Reactions

  • Notice how your boss reacts when you arrive. Does she acknowledge you by standing up or greeting you appropriately?

 

Adapted from 'Happiness at Work: Maximizing your Psychological Capital for Success', by Jessica Pryce-Jones, Wiley-Blackwell.

Hone Your Skills


Manage Your Boss

Submitted by admin on Fri, 07/16/2010 - 12:43

April 2011

Your relationship with your manager can lead to success or to problems. Maintaining a good working relationship with your superior is crucial, and it does not happen by accident. You must demonstrate confidence in your abilities in good times and bad times.  Here are some tips on how to do this. 

 

When the Relationship Is Going Well

  • Clarify. Know your role and responsibilities, and be aware of your manager’s expectations. Always establish your goals and objectives as well as how you will communicate with each other. 
  • Create a shared vision. Talk with your manager about what success looks like for a specific project or goal.
  • Be considerate. Be aware of your manager’s time management challenges. Speak briefly and brilliantly. 
  • Discuss. Talk about your different communication styles. Be flexible and make sure you are communicating in a way that your boss can relate to. 
  • Be prepared. When you need approval on a project, be ready to provide a recommendation, costs, benefits, and potential problems. Think ahead about questions your manager might ask, and have a back up plan ready. 


When the Relationship Is Not Going Well

Sometimes the two of you may not hit it off. If so, it is up to you to create a good working relationship. This holds true even if your manager is ineffective or incompetent. You must initiate the repair of the relationship. 

  • Communicate. State how important it is that the two of you work well together. In order to do this, you need clear expectations and directions from her. 
  • Ask for more. Ask for more structure, including written goals and how to prioritize various projects and tasks. Clarify any misunderstandings that may come up, right away. 
  • Restate. If your manager changes expectations, reaffirm what was originally agreed upon and get clarity on what now is expected. 
  • Give updates.  Let you manager know where you stand at different points in the project so that she can give you feedback. 
  • Be specific. Ask specifically what you can do to help the situation. Put forth clear-cut suggestions. This will help to clarify your manager’s needs. 

 

Additional Tips

  • If your manager is working remotely the challenges may be different. You need to take the initiative to speak more frequently despite time zone obstacles. 
  • Send an e-mail ahead of a one-to-one meeting with the agenda to give your manager time to think. 
  • If you find you need more resources for best results, set a plan with your manager for getting them.
  • Address your manager’s needs regularly. Remind her of what she has committed to and continue to offer to help her deliver it. 

 

Adapted from "The Communication Problem Solver: Simple Tools and Techniques for Busy Managers," by Nannette Rundle Carroll, Amacom.

 

Hone Your Skills: Get More Feedback
Hone Your Skills: Generational Networking
Hone Your Skills: Are You Afraid Of Your Boss?
Hone Your Skills: Handle Your Anger