Today is National Boss Day. Hopefully, you have a good boss worth celebrating—someone who has been treating you well and with respect despite the economy. If this is the case, are you doing anything special to recognize him or her?
There’s no need to buy a gift, although perhaps you and your co-workers all with to sign a card. But there are other ways to show your boss you remember the holiday.
In a recent interview with Aubrey Daniels, author of “OOPS! 13 Management Practices that Waste Time and Money (and what to do instead),” he suggested tips on how to positively reinforce your boss without coming off as buttering him/her up:
1. Thank your boss for something she has done that is helpful to you. Many bosses have told me that they have implemented and then abandoned new initiatives because they only heard from those who had a problem with the decision. There is an old saying: “If people are not told clearly and overtly that they are appreciated, they will assume the opposite.”
2. Help your boss be successful by responding positively to his initiatives and decisions. This is especially important in today's economy when your boss may be making difficult decisions in order to keep the company afloat. Pessimism is not appreciated these days. A “can do” attitude is valued.
3. Keep your boss informed about your activities. Keeping her updated about things that are not going well is as important as keeping her informed about things that are progressing nicely.
4. Encourage your co-workers to positively reinforce your boss, too. Remember, those who are positively reinforced will reinforce others more often. The goal is to create a workplace where positive reinforcement flows all ways.
For more career advice, visit my new blog at HeatherHuhman.com.
Comments
I never met a boss I didn't like, especially women bosses working in a man's world and now thinking like a man-woman. uh, uh, women should stay as women no matter where they go up. no sirree bob or boob, none of them grew penises fedex overnight. I also hate asian bosses who suddenly feel they're whiter than pink, as though their parents aren't watching and pecking over them they must be successful no matter what. minorities look goofier than goof trying to be someone they can never be, which is changing their skin tone now that they're accepted into the white world.
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