The word ‘relationship’ has been synonymous with ‘boss’ for decades now. Whether you’re an employee, a customer or a colleague, the relationship with your boss is the most important document you have in your career — and it can be altered up to a point.
In this blog post, we’ll explore the ways you can increase your relationship with your boss and how you can implement them into your job search strategy. Let’s get started.
Change up your communication style.
Communication needs to be done at every stage of your journey with your boss. Start by communicating with your boss via email or phone. When a meeting isn’t possible, you can always use those channels to get quick communication. Be upfront and transparent with what you’re trying to accomplish. The more general the topic, the easier it will be to discuss. If you have a detailed plan for what you’re trying to accomplish, there will be less chance of being lost in the dust. Better communication also translates to a better relationship with your boss.
Don’t be afraid to ask for feedback.
Asking for feedback can feel like pushing a button. Your boss might respond by saying ‘yes’ or ‘no’, but in all likelihood, you’ll be disappointed if you don’t get any feedback. If you don’t receive a single ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer, it might be worth going back to the drawing board and coming up with a more effective approach.
Be transparent with your work.
Self-publishing books and doing interviews are something employees do a lot. Even if you aren’t currently working for an employer that publishes books, you can still take steps to be more transparent with all your work. Why not post your writing, research, and personal thoughts on your website? Why not give a general overview of your work on your blog? Tell everyone you’re talking with about your work (including your manager) and how they can benefit from your perspective. Your boss will likely thank you for it and it will strengthen your relationship.
Have a goal for the relationship and keep on top of it.
We’re meant to have a relationship with our jobs, after all, it’s what we do for a living. But the more you separate your goals from the rest of your life, the less you pursue them. Your relationship with your boss as well as your job will strengthen as you learn to prioritize your goals. It will help you stay focused, and it will benefit you both in the long run.
When you reach a point in your career where you need to be there for your coworkers, your boss is the ideal person to bounce off and connect with. However, it’s important to remember that you’re going to have to put in the work for this relationship to grow.
You earn it by being an active listener. Also, putting in your hours, being thoughtful about your products and services and being an honest, thoughtful employee helps too. Furthermore, for the sake of your job and the people you work for, you have to make the best of it.
