10 ways to be Your Boss's favourite

You look around any office and you will find two kinds of people, a group that works hard but is never noticed and the other who immediately spring to mind. The second kinds are the ones who are noticed and at the forefront of all activities. Career success means more than working hard, being qualified, meeting crazy deadlines, and being diligent. To be truly successful you need the support of the 2nd most important person in your career. Your Boss!. Don’t die wondering who is the first. Its You!.

 Here I share with you my 10 top tips on how to make a lasting impression with your boss and turn him into your advocate

1. Be a nice person. Genuinely be a pleasant person. Have a nice thing to say to everyone, ooze good manners, and have a ready smile and caring attitude. Don’t be brash and ride rough shod over others or be judgemental. Nobody wants to be around someone who has a short temper or comes across as rude and inconsiderate. Your boss has enough problems to deal with at work. Don’t give her the trouble to have to deal with a subordinate who people are constantly complaining about.
2. Don’t ever gossip with colleagues. Not at work or outside. It is the one thing that can make life uncomfortable. Know what’s happening in the office but stay away from discussing it or spreading things however tempting it may be. Even if you are friends with your colleagues at work refrain from discussing office outside of work. You never know what will come back to bite you. What you talk in the privacy of your casual talk may reach your boss somehow or worst, you may end up being your colleagues boss one day and you will have a tough time managing that relationship when you have to withhold some information.
3. Update your skills and knowledge continuously. The world today moves at a fast pace and one needs to keep up with technical innovations as well as global business trends. Make all efforts to be ahead of developments in your field of work. Develop areas of expertise where your boss can depend on you for advice.
4. Stay on top of your work. Know what to do and do what you know. Have facts and figures at the tips of your fingers. Always prepare for meetings and have some smart questions to add to the discussion. Don’t ask something for the sake of asking. As they say smart people speak because they have something to say, fools speak because they want to say something.
5. Listen. Analyze what your boss and others know and can tell you. Absorb knowledge like a sponge. Never restrict yourself to only your department. It pays to know other functions of the organization. Your boss will appreciate your knowledge.
6. Be a leader before you become one. Be the first to accept extra responsibilities, to take over someone else’s load when they have problems, lend a hand when a team is working to meet a deadline. Make valuable suggestions. Let people know they can depend on you for just about anything. Your boss needs to first see the leader in you before she can make you one. Show it to her.
7. Show and gain Respect. Your boss is your boss for a reason. Show genuine respect and make every effort to gain respect from your boss. Be disciplined and spread the culture to all others.
8. Stay in Charge. Maintain your composure and posture. Never look stressed. Your boss wants someone who can control his emotions, keep his cool, stay focussed and keep charging towards his goals. As they say when the going gets tough, the tough get going. Secondly keep personal life and work separate—never form a relationship with a colleague or boss. Dress well everyday and stand tall.
9. Be methodical and organized in your work. Use filing methods that anyone can use—if you are away anyone in your department should be able to find the papers. Keep your work area neat, computer files uncluttered. Device a workable backup schedule such that under no circumstance is your work lost. You don’t want to be in a situation when your boss asks you for something which you did and you can’t find it.
10. Mind your appearance.Be poised, stylish, and approachable. Look good and smell good—excellent personal habits are always appreciated. Carry breath mints in your pocket along with a fresh hanky. If possible keep a laundered shirt on hand for emergencies.

It takes more than just talent and hard word to impress a boss. Stay ahead with these simple tips.

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