Influencing Your Boss

I have been working in 4 different types of organizations. When I say 4 different, it does not only different organization names, but the industry, the size, the background, country of origin, and so-on. What makes this unique is I have learned different organizations have different direction, management style and disciplines.

However, the fundamentals are much less the same. To survive in all of these organizations, the fundamentals to succeed is still the same, the ability to communicate and influence people. Either working with low-level or higher-executives levels, it gives different outcome from the communication ability.



As influencing other people is importnat, influencing our own boss is more critical! In some cases, some might say 'bodek' or what-ever terms that they wanted to use, but for me, if you can influence your boss, and bring you up to a level, that is consider an achievement. But what other people does not like about these 'kaki-bodek' is not how they influence the bosses, but how they are getting trusted by bosses when they can't perform the duty at least at par. But if we can learn how to 'bodek', apply it right and get our duty above par, wouldn't it be better - rather than we are doing an excellent job but heading nowhere because the boss aren't seeing anything from us?

Today I just would love to share some tips from Al Colemen and Anita Attridge on How To Win Over Your Boss. (Articles source: Forbes website)

1. DO YOUR JOB, AND DO IT WELL. - This is fundamental. Before we start to do anything else, we need to make sure this on covers up.

2. REALLY GET TO KNOW YOUR BOSS. - This is much of rapport. The theory is, if we need to maintain a rapport, we need to get into 'their' world. It would be easier to handle a person when we are 'inside' their world. Don't complain, just go along with their preferences. For example, if they like face-to-face communication, instead of phone call or e-mail method, then we should communicate in that manner.

3. ASSIST AND SUPPORT THE BOSS'S PROFESSIONAL GOALS. - One of the reason we are being paid is to make our boss life easier. See how we can help our boss to accomplish their goals and they will be happy to assist us in making our life easier.

4. BE LOYAL TO YOUR BOSS. - Nobody is perfect. So did our boss. When something went wrong, try as much not to talk around especially with colleagues, or worst outsiders. Once this rule have been broken, then there will be a lot of unwanted words spread around and the boss will become the next 'Hosni Mubarak'. And if you were Mubarak's staff, can you imagine what will happened to you and your career?

5. MAKE YOUR BOSS'S PRIORITY YOUR PRIORITY. -  In an organization, everything need to be accomplished in a team effort basis. In every team, there must be a lead. Even if we does not consider  some task as priority, once the boss declare it as priority, automatically it will become a priority.

6. TAKE THE INITIATIVES WITH PROJECTS AND ASSIGNMENTS. - Taking initiative is always the thing, not just your boss, your colleagues, even your competitor will salute you especially when it provides result. However, don't overload with too many initiatives. The best is something that you can deliver without too many guidance and supervision from your boss - especially they will share the credits without having extra trouble.

7. SEEK SOLUTIONS TO PROBLEMS. - The normal thing people do is to asked the solutions from the boss especially when things goes wrong. We don't want to be normal don't we? Finding a solutions to a problem will make our boss happy because they don't have to hustle to think on solving problems. Your boss have other problems to solves.

8. SHOW AN INTEREST IN AN ACTIVITY YOUR BOSS IS PASSIONATE ABOUT. - It's true that work is work, life is life. But a successful businessman will normally go beyond the 'business' to get the business. They play golf even when they don't like it. If we can copy what the successful businessman do, don't you think we will be getting the same result?

9. DEMONSTRATE A LONG-TERM INTEREST IN YOUR ORGANIZATION. - Think long-term always pay. Even for the gen-Y, normally they don't want to stay long in a company, but it should not stop us from thinking long term aren't we? Like Tun Mahathir, he does not even know he's going to live in the year 2020. But he did plan something, for the benefits of others. You can do the same, even you are thinking to resign another 24 hours. If your can think long-term for the organization, don't you think your boss will think long-term for your career and remember you when you are now longer his boss?

Above is some key-points and my version of elaborations. It is a reminder to me as well, in my journey of continuos improvement of my personal development.