You want to do well at work, right? Of course! And your boss is the gatekeeper to your success with your current company. The more he understands about you, your work, and your goals for the future, the more he can help you get there. All of this takes good communication, and the first step is to begin building a positive work relationship.
Five ways to work better with your boss
It takes time and commitment to build any relationship. And you can get started with the following steps:
- Ask to meet. Some bosses will establish regular one-on-one meetings where you can catch up, ask questions, voice concerns, and get insight into how you’re doing at your job. The other—more obvious—benefit of regular meetings with your boss is simply getting to know each other a little better. If he or she hasn’t set aside any time, take the initiative and ask for it! This simple action will show your boss that you’re invested in your career (and that bodes well for your success with the company).
- Cover the basics. The bottom line, you should be accomplishing your baseline responsibilities. This is the bare minimum, but it sets you up to tackle bigger projects. By doing what you’ve been hired to do, it will get you on your boss’s good side and give them confidence you’re able to handle more. This helps build trust in your working relationship and allows you to prove your value to the company.
- Just be you. When you show your true, genuine self, it helps you in a few ways. First, it takes the pressure off trying to act like someone you’re not—which can make meetings with your boss much easier. Next, it allows your boss to get to know you better and will help your conversations to be less forced and even more interesting. After all, you’re an expert at topics you’re passionate about, and this can add depth to your discussions. Third, being yourself will help your boss understand what’s important to you, and support you to reach your goals.
- Be kind. Your boss is human, too. You may be inclined to talk strictly business, but a simple, “How was your weekend?” or “How is your day going?” can go a long way in getting to know them. Caring goes both ways. You want to feel that your boss cares about you, and extending the same courtesy can add to relationship building.
What’s next?
As you build your career, it can help to have allies in your corner. Your boss is one. Your connections are another. And if you’re interested in expanding your access to high-quality leads, Insurancerecruiters.com is looking for you. A membership with us gives you access to a much deeper pool of qualified insurance candidates, helping you make better employment matches for your clients. Visit our website for more information about joining.
