5 Steps to Getting a Better Working Relationship with your New Boss

Starting a new job can be exciting and nerve-wracking at the same time. What’s even more nerve-wracking is reporting to someone new. Sure you know that you are qualified for the job, and of course, with all jobs, every company has their own culture and internal processes that you need to learn and adjust to with time. However, a large portion of your professional development and success within this new role/company relies on the level of advocacy your direct boss displays on your behalf. The support of your “yet to be shared mind-blowing revenue-increasing ideas” by your superior is pertinent to your credibility and advancement in the workplace.

Below are 5 steps to take to establish and cultivate a working relationship with your boss for the benefit of both parties.

Step 1: Initiate an Informal 1:1

It’s simple. Get to know your new boss. He or She is a person just like you under the Senior, Manager, Director, VP, or C-level Title. There is an 80% chance that you interviewed with this individual in-person and/or on the phone. Let’s be real, you have the job now. It’s time to find out the real skinny about who they are, and most importantly, how they like to interact with their employees. Make sure that the meeting setting is not in their office or a designated conference room. You want this meeting to be as informal and relaxed as possible. Your new boss is not going to “let their hair down” in an environment where they need to maintain their professional superior persona. Pick a nearby cafe, a nearby outside garden, or even take them out to lunch.

The goal of the meeting is to get to know your new boss, both professionally and personally. On a personal note, be sure to ask about their off-hour pastimes, as in their interests, what sort of things would have them leaving the office a little early to get to, etc. On a professional note, be sure to find out what led your boss to the position that they are in now, what components would they classify as essential to a good working employee-boss relationship, what are their expectations regarding your role on their team, etc. This meeting is also a great opportunity to establish your expectations regarding your vision of a solid employee-boss relationship, as well as defining how you best work, what motivates you, your learning style, how you prefer to communicate, etc. Setting these active guidelines on both sides, sets the tone for a great working relationship as all expectations have been laid out on the table, and leaves little room for miscommunication or grey-areas.

Step 2: Establish the Best Method of Communication

Communication is Key in the workplace, and frankly, in life in general. Understanding how your new boss would like to be contacted and relayed information on a daily basis is crucial to the health of your working relationship. Email is definitely the most-used communication channel in the workplace. However, your new boss may not like to receive multiple “internal” emails that include quick questions, confirmations, affirmations, etc. Many workplaces these days, have internal chat programs, like Skype Business, Fonality, etc. This may be yours and your new boss’s preferred method of communication for some of the scenarios listed above. Be sure to establish this early!

Another topic of communication, would be to discuss frequency: how often to communicate information to your new boss. Each type of information can be categorized differently as far as level of frequency is concerned. For example, your new boss may prefer that you keep a running document (draft email) of questions, confirmations, project updates, etc and then send it over to them at either noon that day or at the end of the day, with the hopes of touching base about it later that day or early the next day. Be sure to make this understanding concrete early on, as well!

Step 3: Present a Semi-Fledged Out Idea and Request their Interpretation/Feedback

The best way for your new boss to understand what you can bring to the table is by being exposed to your nearly-complete ideas. Presenting a semi-fledged out idea, proposal, or even presentation, allows your new boss to learn more about your thought-process, your organization, and your creative/strategic capabilities. This also allows you the opportunity to learn from your new boss. When presenting, be sure to ask he/she questions like “How would you have organized this differently?” , “Would you consider this digestible?” , “What are your thoughts on…”, “How would you have worded  this section?”, and “How can this be better?”.

Step 4: Take Initiative on a Project

Present Yourself as a Leader. Be sure to show your new boss that you are capable of identifying when there is a need for someone to step up and pull additional weight. Of course, make sure that you are able to not just complete the task, but complete the task within the expectations and guidelines given. This will definitely put you in good-standing with your new boss, but most importantly this will put you ahead in the advancement of your ongoing professional development and the climbing of the corporate ladder. Next time there is a pivotal project lead opportunity that could “Make your Career,” your boss will be the first to vouch for your capability in getting the job done. Coming from someone with a senior title, this is extremely noteworthy.

Step 5: Maintain a Candid Communication Style

Translation: Be Honest. 100% of the time. If you have too much on your plate and cannot take on another project. Say so. If you believe that there is a better, more streamlined way of executing a certain project. Share it. If you feel like the work isn’t challenging enough. Voice It. If you believe that there can be some improvements made to how internal processes are currently structured. Contribute it.  This will create a circle of trust between you and your new boss. He/She will know that whether they have a direct question or not, you will always be forth-coming with your honest opinion on the matter.

There you have it, 5 Steps to Getting a Better Working Relationship with your Boss. Even if your boss has been your superior for months, or even years, it’s never too late to make the working relationship a home-run for the both of you!

Joanne Augustin

Freelance Writer & Content Strategist

www.joanneaugustin.com

? Joanne Augustin. All Rights Reserved.