How To Keep The Boss Happy

• Be a successful leader. Keep those who report to you happy, productive, and out of your boss' office.  Make certain your employees know if they have a problem they can discuss it with you.  And mean it.  Don’t let unresolved issues get to the next level unless you are the one to carry the problem to the boss.

• Saving your organization money will win over everyone. Every boss at every level is under constant mandate to conserve resources. Your help reducing expenses will be remembered. Engage your employees in the goal to save the company money.

• Learn what's really important to your boss. Show by your actions that those same things are important to you including your boss' expectations of you. Not all bosses are direct and specific in stating their expectations. However, they expect you to meet those expectations and you must find out what they are without putting your boss on the defensive.

• Offer to help your boss with a difficult project.  When you succeed where no one has, you are recognized as someone who is a hard worker and given other opportunities.

• Don't be afraid to take on the role of a leader when necessary. A veteran employee is retiring, organize a goodbye party; someone is being promoted, set up a reception with your co-workers. Take initiative and others will take an instant liking to you. Bosses recognize those who take charge and make things happen.

• Keep the boss as closely informed as he or she wants to be on matters of responsibility. Do not allow the boss to be surprised by news from a third party. That makes both of you look bad.

• Learn when to speak and when not to speak. Sometimes the best way to sound smart is to sit quietly. Although it's good to participate when you do have something valuable to say, if you're only going to bring up old points  you're better off saying nothing at all.  Avoid rewording something that was just said to make it look like it was your idea.  It doesn’t work.

• Don't brag.  Nobody likes a showoff, especially at the expense of others. Watch what you say and don't be overbearing about your accomplishments. Most people stop listening to someone who starts all their sentences with the word “I”.  Speak up if you have experience directly related to a project otherwise be still.

• Never take a problem to the boss without a possible solution.  Don't ask for unnecessary guidance. Many bosses would rather be informed of what you plan to do with a situation rather than taking time from their schedule to solve your problems. 

• Don't complain. When things go wrong accept your share of the responsibility, and don't lay blame at the feet of others. But even more than an admission of error, most bosses are looking for assurance that it won't happen again.

• If you have a worthwhile idea take it to the boss but only if you can show how your idea will either improve the bottom line or make the boss look good. If your idea does neither, it's probably not worth pursuing.

• Be on time.   No one ever got promoted who had a habit of being late to every meeting.  If you can’t manage to get to work on time you give the impression you are not in control of your life.  Take control and arrive early.

• Keep your work area clean. Having a clean desk with all your papers in place is a good way to stay organized, and an especially good way to show your boss that you're organized in every respect.