How to Keep Your Boss Happy

In most jobs, you’re going to have to work under a boss. Although sometimes this can be a bit hasslesome, it’s important to keep your boss happy in order to succeed. The 2 best ways to do this are to take steps to improve your relationship with your boss and impress them whenever you can. Of course, if your boss is particularly hard to work with, there are also some things you can do to make working under them easier to manage.

Improving Your Relationship

1. Adopt your boss’s professional goals as your own. Find out what is important to your boss and make it important to you. Shift your workplace demeanor and output so that your boss sees you as a relatable and dependable employee.For example, if your boss is highly motivated to beat their deadlines, then do your best to get everything in ahead of schedule.

• Don’t sacrifice your own goals or priorities for the sake of your boss’s. Rather, incorporate as many of your boss’s goals into your own plans as best you can. For example, if there is a project that your boss is particularly passionate about, work on that project when you can, but don’t sacrifice your other priorities to do so.

1. Spend time getting to know your boss to understand them better. Make a note of anything that you and your boss have in common so you can talk about it with them. In general conversation, find an opportunity to make your boss aware of your similar interests. This will not only help you to understand how they think, but will also make them like you more.

• For example, if you and your boss both like the same sport, find out what team they root for and try to follow that team’s games. This way, you can talk to your boss about the team whenever the opportunity arises.
• The best time to have this type of conversation is in the break room at lunch or during a period of downtime where neither of you are expected to be working at that moment. This makes having a non-work conversation more acceptable.
• Note that you shouldn’t become too friendly with your boss. Remember to keep your relationship professional, even if you’re having a casual conversation.

Be agreeable with your boss whenever possible. Try to agree with your boss, more often than not, without compromising your own values. Be willing to disagree with them when you need to, but take every opportunity to demonstrate to your boss that you’re “on their side.

• This applies to working with other colleagues under your boss, as well. Show your boss and your coworkers that you’re a team player.
• Be as supportive as you can in controversial situations, even if you really don't like your boss' behavior. This puts you in a position to be honest with your boss without seeming confrontational.

Do work that helps out your boss. Remember, your boss’s success is also your own success. Find out what project or task your boss tends to spend a lot of their time on and take steps to work on it in your spare time. This is especially helpful if this task is particularly stressful for your boss and they don’t have the time to finish it on their own

For example, if your workplace requires a lot of paperwork, especially from your boss, then fill out some of the paperwork that your boss normally does (as long as you’re allowed to do this).

You may have to ask your boss if you can give them a hand with their task. Don’t be afraid to do this! In fact, they may appreciate the simple fact that you offered to help.

Be consistent with your work and your mood. Your boss is probably under a lot of stress in their job, so they will appreciate any employee who is predictable and reliable. Don’t let stress or your boss being angry affect the quality of your work or your mood in the workplace.

For example, if you have a lot on your plate at the moment and your boss asks you if you can help them out with a project, don’t complain about having more work to do. Say “sure, I’d be happy to” and do your work as best you can.

At the same time, don’t overpromise or commit to doing additional work that you don’t have the time to do well. If you do this extra work poorly, it won’t make your boss happy at all.