How can I impress my boss?
It seems that my boss is never happy. I cannot figure out what to do to change this. Does anyone have any thoughts or suggestions around how to impress a boss that is hard to please?
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Sep 20, 2015
You are not responsible for anyone’s happiness but your own. Your boss’s unhappiness my just be your perception of him/her based on something you feel is lacking in the professional relationship. Take a closer look at how you feel about your job, boss, co-workers and business associates. Focus on the positive things as well as the negative, but remember you can only change your reaction to the negative. You cannot change anyone else.
Too often, we put the emphasis on how to impress our boss when we should ask ourselves what do we like about them? I’ve worked for some amazing bosses I would follow into the depths of hell. On the other hand, I’ve also worked for people I had no business working for because I didn’t like, respect or trust them.
If you’re honest with yourself about how you feel about working with your boss and can honestly find things that impresses you…you’re ahead of the game. Does your boss go to bat for your team? Or does he/she publicly slam you at every opportunity?
Have you noticed whether your business is unhappy with just you? Or is it his/her demeanor with everyone? If you have serious concerns, schedule a meeting to ask for constructive feedback and offer solutions to their comments. If the boss is a good leader the feedback will be constructive and not personal.
Sep 14, 2015
do not try to outsmart him or prove that you are better off.respect and praise his skills and expertise and make less conspicuous your wit
Sep 14, 2015
Nice question Irfan,
To impress your boss;
1. Never let your boss remind you of your work/duty (stand before your desk).
2. Thoroughly understand what you are expected to deliver at your work place and use that knowledge to suggest new or better thinks to be done to your boss before s/he asks you what should be done.
Sep 11, 2015
Some times we worry and focus our attention in the wrong place. Worrying about others or what they think, becomes a reflection of how you actually think and of how they will then perceive you to be. You attract the emotions you invite in. If you have confidence that you do your job well and provide the level of support needed there would be no need to concern yourself with others. turning your attention and raising the awareness of yourself, what you can bring and do will provide you with peace of mind. It is difficult for anyone to stay unhappy around good energy and vibes. Remember too, that a Manager is always receiving input and pressure from above and below, to really assist and alleviate their burden you need to bring balance and take responsibility to share their load. A good Manager is always keeping their eye out for succession planning, observing your ability to be proactive and take action, rather than waiting for direction, communication use your initiative to instigate delivery and follow through. I guarantee a smile soon is what you will see.
Sep 10, 2015
All our adult relationships are just reflections of relationships from when we were little children. Ask yourself, "who does my boss remind me of?" Perhaps your father, or mother, or another authority figure you considered it important to please? Forgive your young self for forgetting that he is as valuable (and valued) as anyone else, and for not valuing himself as highly as the opinion of others, in particular the one being reflected back to you by your boss. Then watch your relationship transform with your boss.
Other people's reactions to us are never about them, and always about our feelings about our self, usually the child within us. Another useful technique is to see your adult self as the boss, and in your mind relate to your child self in the way you would love to be treated, with kindness, respect, love, etc.
Life truly is a mind game that anyone can win once he/she understands how we're always just out-picturing from our subconscious mind.
Sep 10, 2015
Hello Irfan, I would like to first say that your question is one that a great majority of workers ask, especially if they are in a role that they have fallen into and not one they have specifically chosen because it brings great satisfaction. And on the basis of this comment I have to agree with Carsten Schnier's response.
Now to you and your level of emotional and spiritual intelligence. The first sentence you write describes a great deal of stress in trying to access what is happening in your relationship with your 'boss' as you say that it is your perception of unhappiness or dissatisfaction. Your struggle is described by the further statement that you cannot 'figure out what to do to change' what you believe has created the dissatisfaction.
By describing the individual as you 'boss' you may have assumed that this person has total control of your ability to think independently about how you can best execute a task which means you could inadvertently be avoiding asking for clarity about the objective or the process to be used. There is of course another reason and it may be that you do not feel that you are good enough and do not want to expose this and so it becomes as though your boss is never satisfied.
Take time to understand what it is you are feeling. If you do not really want to do the job you will not do it well and will end up projecting this feeling on to another person. Second, threat your boss with greater respect and they will demonstrate greater respect for you. We teach people how to treat us, so treat your leader the way you would wish to be treated. Third, ask that individual for mentoring, if in the process they refuse then it is an indication that you will continue to be unhappy in your role as you will never achieve a good understanding of what they want. Then the option is to stay with them or look for alternative opportunities.
What others think about you is none of your business, what you think about you is your only concern! Are you fully committed to delivering the objectives to the best of your ability?
Hope this helps
Sep 10, 2015
Its not difficult to impress your boss , you two words to do that -Trust , Loyalty , once he feels that you are loyal to him he will for sure trust you , you need to work hard & give him Amazing results so he feels that you care about him & his work . I am sure of that when ever you build up good dealing with good results he will in return give you what ever you expect .
Sep 7, 2015
You are not responsible for your boss' happiness.
You are responsible for consistently delivering outstanding quality work before the deadline.
If delivering quality work before the deadline doesn't impress your boss, then either stop trying so hard to win your boss' approval, or go find a boss whose values are more in line with yours.
Sep 7, 2015
Take the time to understand your manger's business goals and commitments. Once you understand what he/she needs to accomplish to achieve his/her goals - then you create your own PBCs or your own personal business commitment plans. You PBCs will be based on their PBCs such that when you achieve your goals...they achieve theirs. When you review these with your manager, they have an opportunity to modify and give you feedback. Once approved, both you and your manager will have a plan of action that accomplishes both your PBCs .
Sep 6, 2015
Dear Irfan.
At first you must sit on Boss seat, and observe, what he is expecting from you.
Secondly prove him, with your skills. with his mind approaching, not your.
If this approach not working properly. Then always put a butter on a slice to present your BOSS.
Regards.
Akhtar.
Sep 6, 2015
Do your work with quality, deliver at best, ask right questions, and provide solutions to problems that continuosly arise. Be proactive. Great job relationships are not about 'impressing' your boss but doing what you are meant to- in a simpler way. Bosses that are never happy is a topic that should not distract you frequently when you know you are working, you are delivering, however, if this is the case, let it go because this is a complex management problem and you can do better finding a new rewarding job.
Don't look to impress anyone in your job. Look for be seen professional, reliable, effective, communicative, independent, team player and, in some cases, a person with great leadership skills.
Best to you.
S.
Sep 6, 2015
Stop trying to impress your boss and focus on doing the best work possible in your current position and look for growth opportunities, advancement in the company. Your boss may have his/her own personal issues so trying to impress is pointless.
Sep 6, 2015
Some great answers here already and I would lean towards Mike Van Horn's answer. But from a slightly different angle, what is your bosses's backstory ? Did they get their job because of their experience or they were in the right place at the right time, or related to the owner. Does the company you work for send their management on courses to improve their skills on a regular basis or only when a crisis emerges ? Lastly what is the company culture, oppressive or open ? The answers to these questions will help you on your journey.
Sep 5, 2015
Irfan,
Let's assume that it is possible to make your boss happy with your work. But, of course, it may not. Your boss may just be a miserable soul!
By some coincidence, my most recent email tip-sheet answered just this question: particularly from the point of view of getting the best from them and strengthening your working relationship.
So i'll put reproduce the first part of the tip-sheet here, with a link for you to follow if you want the rest of the tips. There is also a short eBook I wrote for Pearson's Business Express Series (Managing Upwards Successfully), and I have plans for a 'Boss Wrangling' online video course.
Soak up the advice
Some bosses love to give advice: my first did. Be prepared to listen, because what they are telling you is how to do things to keep them happy. They may also be telling you how to do things well. Criticism can be a powerful learning process if you see beyond the tone and style to the content.
Craft your reputation
Decide what you want your boss to tell their colleagues about you, and cultivate this as your reputation. My tip here is to think beyond the reputation your boss wants you to have. Add in a component of the reputation that will get you your ideal next role.
Your most valuable asset
Above all, create a belief in your boss that they can trust you one hundred per cent. They need to have confidence in your loyalty to them and their agenda. Whether you are wholly loyal or not is up to you, but beware: some bosses will find ways to test you.
Puppy dog
Why do some people love dogs more than cats? Because they are compliant and have the natures that peole want. People perceive them (let's not discuss the reality) as loyal, helpful, affable and intelligent. In particular, it's the combination of intelligence and likability. Also, people don't feel threatened by a puppy.
Smart Cat
Why do some people love cats more than dogs? Because they have an air of independence. They can be left alone and will do their own thing without supervision. You too need to be able to take the initiative, and take responsibility, relieving your boss of some of their worries.
For the rest of the tips: http://us2.campaign-archive1.com/?u=a19c7cc0f8a3010b08e23a3c4&id=8513ca15a3&e=0ad21f5484
Sep 5, 2015
Of course,
Keep doing your best at your job. Not saying you are not, just saying, your boss wants the best from everyone to make the business grow. Imagine his frustrations. What he may complain that is lacking may be coming down on him or her five times more...I always if you are doing what you are supposed to be doing and stay consistent with being flawless and respectful...anything else should be chalked up as, the boss may be having an off day, don't worry about lit. Only pay attention to what you can control, not what you can't/
Sep 5, 2015
1. Come early.
2. Do your job thoroughly.
3. Try to communicate where the problem is, if it can be ameliorated, then fix it by making it better and impress your boss...4. If they still are unimpressed, then I'm sorry we've given them our best...guess they can NEVER be satisfied due to their insecurities.
Sep 5, 2015
This is a big question and depends on the personality of your boss. Being aware of what affects their ratings, bonuses etc. can help you know what his priorities are. Getting that information is critical and how you do so must be tactful but can arm you with the information to make what appears "difficult" and make you realize that they are not always motivated by what makes sense from your perspective. We all are working to do well, but what the company sets as criteria for doing well is not always intuitive so you have to find out what drives success in their position. Knowing how my VP is rated helped me know what to prioritize a great deal as it what he was being assessed on was quite different than what I would have thought given the divisions goals.
Sep 5, 2015
There's a lot of good answers here, here's my thoughts:
First, look around to make sure it is just you, or if a group of others are having this same experience. If there are others, you can assume (not guarantee) that the issue lies with the boss. Talk to others to see if there is a way to reach out to the boss (as a group) and get a better understanding of the issues and how to address them.
If it is just you ...Read and understand your job description. Are you clear and in agreement about what is expected of you? If not, make the personal adjustments you need to in order to comply with the JD, or speak to your boss about why the JD needs to be changed.
Speak to your boss about the "vibes" he is sending and how you are interpreting them. Do this in a professional and non-threatening manner. Keep in mind that a very large percentage of bosses were promoted because they were good at something, but in most cases it was technical or procedural and did not include managing people, or leading a team. As a result, they typically lack the skills and courage (yes, courage) to approach a worker with what they view as a deficiency. This will often cause the boss who is unhappy with someone's work to "act out" by expressing unhappiness and anger at the worker, when they should be looking in the mirror. He may be avoiding an honest conversation with you because he fears you may have a negative reaction and the discussion will become confrontational.
Have your "plan B" ready. By this I mean that if discussions with the boss do not result in a happy, professional working relationship, be ready to turn your notice in. Life's too short to spend your working hours in a toxic work environment.
Sep 5, 2015
Who is he impressed by? Those are the people you want to make an impact on. Then he/she will likely see you differently.
Make him/her look good. Help them meet their goals.
At times, even with this, it could be an unsolvable situation. At that point, I would approach HR and see if there is any reason to try to continue to work for this person, could you be transferred to another area, or is it better to know you did all you could and move on.