When it comes to your corporate wellness, no one is more influential than your boss. But how do you impress your employer and keep on climbing that career ladder? We’ve spoken to nine business people who have shared their top tips for getting noticed.
1. Save Your Boss Money: According to Jessica Eaves Mathews, founder and CEO of Leverage a Lawyer, ‘Bosses are under enormous financial pressure, and if you can relieve some of that with money-saving strategies, you’ll show your boss that you care about her welfare and the success of the company.’
2. Make Your Boss’ Weakness Your Strength: ‘Study your boss’ skill set and excel in the areas she doesn’t,’ advises Abby Ziff, digital ad director of WebMD. ‘Does she hate public speaking? Offer to run the morning meeting. Is she bad with numbers? Manage her spreadsheets. When you ace a task that’s not her strong suit, she’ll look to you as someone she needs and you’ll create a forum where you can easily shine.’
3. Don’t Be Afraid to Disagree: ‘Contrary to popular belief, bosses don’t want to be told they’re right all the time,’ says Cathy Corman, CEO of CC Productions Inc. ‘So if everyone is agreeing on a concept in a meeting but you have a gut feeling it’s not a smart decision, speak up. It takes confidence, but if you sometimes buck the system, you’ll be respected for it.’
4. Learn Everything: Amy Knowles, office manager at Dr. Patty’s Dental Boutique, details, ‘My job is to make sure the office runs smoothly — managing my boss’ schedule, manning the phones. But I also make a point to learn about the science behind the products and treatments we offer. These things aren’t applicable to my daily routine, but my boss can always rely on me to answer client questions on my own.’
5. Be Honest: Rosemary Camposano, owner of Halo Blowdry Bar, instructs, ‘If a task is beyond your level of experience, say so. Bosses just want their needs met, so if you can’t do something, don’t pretend you can; it’ll only cause problems down the road.’
6. Embrace Criticism: ‘If you get a lukewarm review, don’t get defensive,’ cautions Vanessa Vega, regional director for Quest Workspaces. ‘Instead, accept criticism gracefully, thank your boss for her honesty, and ask how you can improve. Afterward, send her a follow-up e-mail recapping your goals, then ask if you can meet again in a few months to reassess your progress. When you put the boss’s advice into action, she’ll feel valued and you’ll have turned a poor review into a positive one.’
7. Think before You Click: ‘When forwarding links, always include usable ideas,’ recommends Reema Ghody, director of product management at HBO. ‘Don’t just cut and paste the link and write, “Check this out.” Instead, summarize what the story is about in one to two lines, then explain why you’re sending it by saying something like, “Here’s what I think we should do with this information” or “It gave me an idea to do X, Y, and Z.” Your boss will be more motivated to read it.’
8. Give Credit: Stacey Whelan, safety and integration team leader at General Motors, suggests, ‘When your boss compliments you on a job well done, give your co-workers credit if they helped by saying, “Thanks so much. I enjoyed the project. And Lisa was such an asset, as well.” You’ll show your boss that you’re looking out for her entire team and not just yourself.’
9. Help Impress Your Boss’ Boss: ‘Your boss has a boss, too,’ Ilona Fordham, program development manager at Jenny Craig, points out. ‘So do what you can to make your direct supervisor look impressive. If she’s preparing for a meeting, help her with research and talking points. Or, if her boss praises her for your idea, let her take the credit. Your boss will see you as an ally, and she’ll return the favour down the road.’
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