These days it’s not enough just to do your job well; you also need to be versed in the art of “managing up,” said Mark Tutton in CNN.com. That means asking “not what your manager can do for you, but what you can do for your manager.” Better yet, don’t ask what your boss needs; anticipate it. Learn what makes him “tick”—and ticks him off—and adjust your work style accordingly.
Some employees take this strategy to great lengths, said Brian Moore in the New York Post. Paying close attention to the boss’ body language or vocabulary, they’ll “subtly reflect her behavioral quirks” in their own conduct. But “managing up” need not mean “kissing butt,” and you don’t have to be a toady to be well-liked. Start by being competent in your job and helpful to your co-workers. Then identify your boss’ “raison d’être” and cast your ideas accordingly. One key strategy is to find ways to compensate for your boss’ own strengths and weaknesses. “If your boss likes sales but loathes business development, offer to go in her place to the next meet-and-greet.”
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