New Grads: How to make your boss love you

How to get in good with your manager without coming off like a complete suck-up.

 

A recent grad asked me recently how he could “get in good” with his manager.

 

Of course by “get in good” I presume he, ahem, wanted to know how to build a mutually beneficial relationship with his manager that would grow his confidence and competency while helping his boss achieve success.

 

It’s a good question for new professionals because a manager relationship is quite a different relationship than being accountable to professors or parents.

 

Even if you had internships or summer jobs, you may not have worked long-term for one person and really developed a relationship with him.

 

So here are 5 tips I have to help you understand how to get in good with (read: be an asset to) your manager. Caveat: I’m assuming you know the basics like show up on time, do what you say, meet your deadlines and all that.

 

1. Assure your boss that you know your number 1 job, is to make her successful.

This is, after all, what your job is! Sometimes ego, pride, or personality issues get in the way. Don’t let them.

 

No matter what your relationship with your boss, what her personality type, what her strengths and weaknesses, your job is to make her a raving success. Once you really understand that, and incorporate this into your work, I guarantee your job will flow more smoothly.

 

How to do it: In your regular one-on-ones, ask how she’s doing, and ask what you can do to better support her meet her goals. Stay abreast of what her goals are. Understand how what you do tracks to what she’s accountable for.

 

2. Tell him, “I’ve got your back.”

Here was my mantra as a manager: No Surprises!

 

Managers. Hate. Surprises. They dislike being blindsided because it makes them look like they missed something. Don’t let this happen to your manager, or you.

 

Say you’ve got an angry customer you know is going to escalate over your head, and your manager’s head. Let your manager know. Say you want to give him a heads up so he’s not unpleasantly surprised. Then explain the situation and what you can do to amend it. He will want to take that same action further up the chain.

 

This allows you to help solve the problem together, saving you both a pile of agony.

 

Expert insight: When you prevent your boss from being blindsided, stick to facts and what you know. Don’t cast aspersions, blame or make assumptions about someone’s motive. You don’t really know those. Focus on the facts, solutions and actions you can take to remedy the situation.

 

3. Follow-up, proactively.

Yes, that sounds counter-intuitive, so let me explain.

 

• You have a report due at close of business Friday. You confirm the due date and expectation on Monday.

 

• Give your boss a heads up on Wednesday that you’re on track. If you need clarification or help, get it well ahead of the deadline.

 

• Then on Thursday, let her know she’ll have the report at noon on Friday.

 

• Deliver the report at 9 on Friday.

 

This helps the manager avoid having to ask, “How are you doing on that report? Are you going to have it done on time?” If you have a micro-manager, this pattern might get her off your back. It’s possible she might even be delighted.

 

Expert insight:  Often, whatever you give your manager is going into an action item they need to deliver, likely further up the chain. She depends on you to deliver work accurately, on time, and with a minimum of anxiety. This is a great process to build a reputation for dependability with your boss, whether you’re a starter or a seasoned professional.

4. Throw the man a lifeline.

If the pressure’s on him, and you’re feeling it because he’s cranky, stay calm and unemotional, and ask, “What can I do to help you?” 7 simple words.

 

Then be prepared to help. Even if he doesn’t accept the help, if you’ve asked with sincerity, he’ll appreciate the offer.

 

Expert insight: Managers need to know they have people on their team they can call on in any situation. For me these were my MVP’s. If you can step up to help, you’ll build your workplace credibility, and let your boss know he can call on you when the pressure’s on. Even if it means running copies, making phone calls or stapling documents. Just do it.


 

5. Pay a public compliment.

Yep, this one will sound like you’re brown-nosing. So make sure it’s authentic!

 

Did she do a good job on a presentation? Get kudos from a higher up? Get a mention in the media? Solve a sticky customer problem? Say congrats, and good job, in earshot of others. Bosses need the love too, you know!

 

 

Expert insight: One characteristic of true professionals is to be able to recognize and honor the success of others. Sometimes those others are bosses. The higher you move in an organization, the less accolades you seem to get. So if your boss has done something outstanding, give her a well-deserved shout out.


 

 

 

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