You're seeking to build rapport with your boss. How can you earn their trust and respect in the workplace?

I would like to give my perspective from a team member who is reporting to a new manager. Its important to be mindful about the changes going on, be respectful and have the openness to listen, your leader might be coming with a different level of expertise and expectations, and for you to align with those, practice active listening. Be there to support them, which may mean you have to stretch a little for a while but that could help get the team back on speed. Schedule fortnightly 1-1s with your leader to catch up on work status, and also a safe space to share feedbacks, challenges, goals, etc. Practice empathy, as its a new phase for them as well and might need time & support to settle in.

I think it involves demonstrating professionalism, competence, and integrity. For example,delivering Quality Work which show that you are reliable and capable.Keep your boss informed about the progress of your projects, any challenges you encounter, and potential solutions.. Be on time for work, meetings, and deadlines. Maintain a positive attitude, even in challenging situations. Being professional and composed helps create a constructive work environment and shows maturity. Regularly ask for feedback on your performance and be open to constructive criticism. Act on this feedback to improve and grow professionally.Respect Boundaries too

Demonstrate Reliability and Competence, Build Strong Relationships: Understand your boss's personality and communication style: Adapt your approach accordingly. Develop a strong work ethic: Show dedication and commitment to your job. Be proactive: Anticipate needs and take action without being asked. Celebrate successes: Share accomplishments with your boss and team.

Consistently meet deadlines and follow through on promises. For instance, if you commit to completing a project by a certain date, ensure it’s done on time and to the best of your ability. If any issues arise, communicate them early and propose solutions.

First and foremost be an honest and reliable person with an open mind, be available to take on more duties even the ones that are out of your scope of work. Avoid being a "clock watcher" by all means possible, go an extra mile, share ideas with your boss that could improve productivity. Make sure that you go beyond exceeding your KPI's. Show dedication by being the first to get to work and the last to leave the office. Be decisive and remember to maintain professionalism at all times, DO NOT GET TO FAMILIAR with your boss, set boundaries and last but not least, respect goes a long way.

Communication is largely constituting listening skills which is very much required to build the rapport with your boss. Boss must feel heard. Next part is to act on it. You must have the action plan ready to achieve those targets and rectify past mistakes in the plan.

Schedule regular check-ins with your boss to discuss progress, challenges, and feedback. For example, set up a bi-weekly meeting where you can discuss ongoing projects, seek advice, and address any concerns. This shows you value their input and are open to constructive criticism.

Schedule regular one-on-one meetings where you can discuss your tasks and projects, but also inquire about their priorities, challenges, and vision for the team. Ask open-ended questions that encourage them to share their thoughts and perspectives, and pay attention to their communication style for clues about their values. Don't hesitate to express your own goals and aspirations, as this can help your boss align your work with the broader objectives of the team and organization. This has a two-fold positive effect, because while you gain a better understanding of how to create a solid relationship with your boss, they also get an opportunity to understand what drives you thus becoming more likely to keep you happy and engaged in your role.

In understanding your boss's goals, It is important to avoid familiarity irrespective of the circumstance. Secondly, remember to be alert and watch out for the ego in you before it becomes noticeable due to your ability to align with your boss's goals.

Take the initiative to learn about your boss’s priorities and align your work accordingly. For example, if your boss is focused on increasing team efficiency, propose and implement a new workflow that could help streamline processes and save time.

Acknowledge their experience and expertise in both private and public settings. For example, during a team meeting, you might say, “I’ve learned a lot from my boss about effective project management, and I think their approach to our current project is spot on.”

It is especially important to show respect when you disagree with your boss. Maintain an even tone and be mindful of your phrasing. Try a respectful, "May I offer an addition idea to consider," or "I have another idea we may want to consider." You may want to express, "I have a concern about X. What would you think about Y?" It's always a good idea to express your concern for the team's results, rather than pointing out the flaws in your boss's thinking.

Volunteer for additional responsibilities or projects that are outside your usual scope. For instance, if you notice an area in the department that could use improvement, such as organizing a team-building event or creating a new process for onboarding new employees, take the lead and make it happen.

Demonstrating initiative doesn't always have to be about saying "yes" to more. Sometimes, it's about partnering with your manager to tackle what's most pressing or saying no to projects that might stretch you too thin. It's a balancing act but showing you value your time *AND* their priorities can go a long way to show you're reliable, care, and want to do good work.

Maintain a positive attitude, even in challenging situations. For example, if the team is facing tight deadlines, offer words of encouragement and remain upbeat, focusing on solutions rather than problems. Your positivity can boost team morale and demonstrate your resilience.