10 sure-fire measures to become the boss’s favorite
It's hard to be a leader. Not only do you have to keep your team on the right track, but you also need to manage deadlines and objectives, handle any HR issues that arise, work through production problems with vendors, and more. It's no wonder so many managers fall asleep at their desk by lunchtime .
That said, you can make it easier for yourself if you follow a few simple measures that'll put your boss' mind at ease and set yourself up for success in this competitive field. Here are ten sure-fire measures you can take to be the boss' No. 1 favorite:
1. Show up early for group meetings or make long-range plans to be there at the last minute. This shows you're a team player and attentive to others' needs .
2. Never share with your teammates what's going on in your personal life, business or relationships . You're far better off maneuvering great teamwork around personal issues than letting your colleagues know what's going on with you behind closed doors (I've seen firsthand how this can backfire; trust me). It's also best not to give out too much information about what makes you tick, because most people don't understand it and they won't respect it. Your time is precious – why waste it explaining yourself?
3. When you're sick, take a day off. Don't delude yourself that hanging in there "because the work needs to get done" will land you on your boss' good side. That's an ego trip that'll only leave you feeling like crap and make colleagues question your dedication .
4. Be flexible and open to last-minute changes in assignments . If the boss comes to you with a change request, don't say no automatically if it'll mean more work for you. Think about it first and try to find a way through it. This will make you indispensable to your boss, who'll appreciate you for seeing the good in his or her plans and accommodating them.
5. Get involved with your team or department, volunteer to take on extra tasks, and always act as if you were the boss . Your team respects it when they see you're willing to roll up your sleeves and work hard for the good of the company.
6. Make your coworkers' lives easier by being good at several of their jobs, too . When someone's unload a truck for them at night so they don't have to do it themselves and when a part-time employee has her hours changed accordingly so she doesn't have to go from office to office each day. By going out of your way to make your colleagues' lives easier, you'll gain their respect and loyalty .
7. Use data and facts to back up what you're saying – and make a set of notes on the topic beforehand . This shows that you're organized, diligent and prepared. Being able to rattle off a list of data points quickly is always impressive, too.
8. Never waste anyone's time: If you say you'll do something, get it done on time – every time . Only say "no" if the request itself isn't reasonable or attainable.
9. Always offer help when a coworker asks for it; never be stingy with praise , either . If you're bored with a project, volunteer to help out and don't hold back. Most people are flattered when they see that you've put in some time and effort.
10. If you have time during the day off, take it! It'll extend your vacation timeline, show your boss that you're dedicated to the job, and make coworkers happy .
All of these measures will make you indispensable to your boss' team. Simply do your job well, ask for nothing in return and be willing to help out when anyone asks (or even when they don't), and you'll make a place for yourself in the office.
Many of us are our own worst enemies. We're aware of this but just can't seem to make ourselves change. This is especially true at work, where so many people sabotage their careers before they've even started. We all know what you're thinking right now -- how could that possibly be? The answer is: simple ignorance and complacency.
Our brains are set up to do just one thing all day: make us feel good, as fast as possible. It knows all of our tricks, and it uses them, too. It's extremely difficult to resist this impulse because most of the time it feels so good .
The problem is that we're not actually happy . In fact, we're spending a lot of our waking hours lying to ourselves about what we think we want , and that's exactly what makes us miserable . The mind is deceptive! Case in point: We want more money -- but usually not the kind we actually need -- in order to feel better about ourselves. We want a promotion because it represents greater status, but when we get it, it doesn't actually make us happier. We want to be healthier , but eating healthier food and exercising more frequently don't make us feel any better. And on top of that, we want to be happy at all times . Our brains know this and they're willing to do anything to help us achieve this desire.
A study was performed at Harvard University that proved how vulnerable we are to self-deception with money. The researchers gave participants $100 and then had them choose between keeping the money for themselves or giving some of it away. Each participant was then asked to remember one of two things that would make them happier: receiving $100 or giving away $100. The goal was to see if the simple act of remembering a decision that made someone happier would actually make them happier, or if they'd simply go back to feeling neutral (the way they felt before they remembered making a tough decision).
This is where things got interesting. Remembering the act of giving away money at first increased happiness levels, but after a brief period of time their levels dropped and feelings returned to normal. Writing down the pros and cons before making a decision is always helpful because it helps us think more clearly and avoid getting emotionally attached to something we know we can't have.
Some people's brains do this naturally, but for those of us that get lost in our desires – and confuse them for true happiness – there's another way. It involves constant reflection on your day-to-day decisions to make sure you're making them the right way. Ask yourself: "What's really best for me here? What do I really want?" Reflect on your thoughts and feelings at the time of a decision to make sure your brain isn't tricking you into believing something that will eventually result in disappointment.
We all know what we should be doing, but we can't seem to make ourselves do it. That's because we're human, and it takes a lot of effort to fight years of habitual behavior.
Conclusion
Do you agree with my advice? Do you have any tips of your own that help you be indispensable at work? I'd love to hear them in the comments. And be sure to subscribe to the blog so that you never miss an update!
Many of us are our own worst enemies. We're aware of this but just can't seem to make ourselves change. This is especially true at work, where so many people sabotage their careers before they've even started. We all know what you're thinking right now -- how could that possibly be? The answer is: simple ignorance and complacency.
Our brains are set up to do just one thing all day: make us feel good, as fast as possible.