How to Show Your Boss That You’re Invaluable
An article in SmartMoney caught my attention this week – Anne Kadet explores Ten Ways to Make Your Boss Love You. While I don’t agree with everything in the article, I think there are several points worth sharing. Here’s a summary of my favorite tips from Anne’s article, along with some additional insights on how to show your boss that you're invaluable:
1. Work extra hours…
…only when you actually have a critical project to finish. As companies become leaner, many of you may take on additional responsibilities. But most bosses don’t care how many hours you work – they just want you to do your job well and on time. Don’t stay late just for show, but be willing to put in extra time when you’re needed. I love this tip! During peak times when other team members are working late, I also like to ask my boss if I can help with anything before heading out for the evening. This is a good way to show that you're willing to stay late if necessary, but it prevents you from doing busy work just for the sake of face time.
2. Be proactive!
Your manager is likely just as stressed in the newly-leaned environment as you are. However, it’s sometimes more difficult for a manager to ask for help than it is for you to offer it. So the next time your boss seems stressed about work, be proactive and ask if there’s anything you can do to help. Not only will it make your life less stressful when your boss is able to relax, you’ll hopefully score points for taking initiative!
Speaking of taking initiative, you should also look for additional opportunities that will broaden your experience and make you more valuable to the organization. With a reduced workforce, seek out neglected responsibilities that have fallen to the back burner. Don’t be afraid to request that some of your less important responsibilities are taken off your plate so you can focus on more value –added projects.
3. Ask for help every now and then
Your boss may think you’re lazy if you always ask for help. On the other hand, you may find yourself in the doghouse if you’ve created a big mess when you could’ve gotten help earlier. Your goal should be to exhaust every resource you have (your co-workers, mentors, and even the internet), and only go to your supervisor with your most difficult challenges. You might even perform better and advance a bit faster if you request help from time to time.
4. Be positive
This can be a tough one, especially during times of low morale! But, optimism and a “can do” attitude may get you farther in the workplace than your experience and/or job skills. You may need to take baby steps if you’re really feeling the workplace blues; here are some ways to infuse some positivity into your workday:
- Smile at everyone that stops at your desk to ask you a question. After you make an effort to genuinely smile, you’ll be less likely to grumble or seem “stand-offish”.
- Take a walk at lunch or make sure that you spend at least fifteen minutes away from your desk each day. A break from your routine (and a bit of exercise) helps you clear your mind.
- Select one or two co-workers that you feel comfortable venting to. But make sure that they are also comfortable listening, and don’t overdo it. After all, negativity is contagious, and that’s one thing that you can control the spread of during flu season!
In closing, here’s an eye-opening stat for you:
“In the late ‘90s, a Harvard Business Review study confirmed…that almost all supervisors sort their subordinates into an in-group and an out-group – typically within five days of meeting them.”
While this is somewhat alarming, it may be the reality in your workplace. Do you have any tips on how to show your boss that you’re invaluable and secure a spot in the “in-group”?
