How to make your boss your friend

by Bradley Richardson

You may even do things socially out of the office. There is nothing wrong with this as long as you remember that he or she is still your boss and has a lot of control over your career. For this reason, don't tell personal secrets or compromising information to your boss. It will undermine your credibility and effectiveness.

Don't Be A Doormat

Remember that politics does not mean sucking up to the boss. You will find "yes" people in every organization.

The world is full of too many suck-ups who tell people exactly what they want to hear. Some managers love to be surrounded by people who tell them they are right even if they aren't. A famous movie studio chief once said, "I want everyone to tell me the truth even if it costs you your job."

Don't agree just to be agreeable or because of your boss's title. This does you, your boss and your company a great disservice. If you have a better way of doing something or an opposite opinion, present it. Be frank and direct with people. Don't allow yourself to be walked on.

Tell Your Boss Where You Want To Be

To have a good relationship with a manager or boss, you must communicate what you need and want. Don't say what you will and will not do, but tell your boss the best way for you to get along and work effectively together. A boss can help your career development, but only if he or she knows where you want to go. Tell your boss about your career plans, what you would like to accomplish, and what you need in order to reach those goals.

If you need assistance or help, tell him or her. Your boss is a resource and is there to help you. It is not an adversarial relationship. You work in tandem. The better you do, the better your boss looks. It is in his or her best interest to see that you do well.

Think Like Your Boss

Try to identify with your boss and follow a pattern similar to his or hers. There is the saying, "If you want to be CEO, you act like the CEO." This goes for attitude, dress, hours and work ethic. Don't be a clone, but don't work counter to your boss either.

If the boss arrives at the office at 8:00 a.m. and leaves at 6:00 p.m., you shouldn't show up at 8:30 a.m. and leave at 5:30 p.m. In any case, you will score points if you always arrive earlier than your boss and stay later.

If your boss is very people-oriented and outgoing, don't sit back and be reserved. Use the language and buzzwords that he or she does. If you do so, he or she will identify more with what you are saying. Find out what buttons to push, and which qualities your boss admires in people.

Learn what he or she values in employees. To find out, ask around or ask your boss directly. Your manager will respect the fact that you are taking an interest in learning his or her expectations. You will also know how you will be judged in order to get on the right track. It is best to ask these types of questions early in your tenure with a new manager or boss.

To play the game, you have to first know the rules.