How to Score Points with Your Boss

…or at least make sure the boss thinks of you when treats are handed out.

Most of us have them.

The lucky ones even have two: one at work and one at home. Bosses. You can't live with them, and you can't live without them. But with some simple – after all, we're dealing with bosses – preparation maneuvers, you can score good points with your boss, so you finally get what you deserve.

Whether that’s a thicker wallet, better working conditions and environment, a promotion, power, personal fulfillment, and success. Or free coffee, lunch, pens, massages, and post-its.?

As far as the in-house boss is concerned, one can always hope...

They Love Employees

I've had many bosses in my time – from Jeppe, the street-burger floor manager at Lyngby Storcenter, to CEOs of large global companies. And one thing they all had in common. They love employees who master the complicated interplay of diligence (FL), flattery (FE), and deception (SN) in the employee triangle FFS model. In Danish, simply Flid, Fedt & Snyd.

As with the equally classic project triangle (quality, time, and money), it's about making a choice of the extent of the elements relative to each other – and adjusting them continuously to reach the goal. This undoubtedly means that you – to have any hope of anything at all – really know your boss through and through. You probably spend more time with your boss than with your partner anyway; so use that time wisely to fully understand the boss. Does the boss prefer diligence, flattery, or deception?

Prepare Yourself

You can get closer to your goals if you have prepared your FFS exercises to just the extent and pace that your boss wants it. Here's a selection from the treasure chest that hits the most common type of boss.

Show that you're there for the boss (FL). Preempt him/her. When the boss comes running with a handful of tasks on Monday morning, you've already fixed them. If you unexpectedly have not used interest hours over the weekend, you handle the tasks quickly and smoothly during Monday – without complaints and with enthusiasm.

Don't be shy (FE). Praise the boss while you know she/he is listening but while she/he thinks you don't know she/he is listening. Praise the choice of the new car fleet, the choice of white shirts and dark ties or whatever outfit. Praise the boss’s visions and be carefully constructively critical.

Look Busy

Finally, talk about the boss's current life – and your upcoming one. Golf at Simon's, lunch at Victor's, and hunting on your own island.

Look busy (SN). Deception is short-term, one of the hardest to master, and one of the worst to get caught in. Keep it to a minimum.

However, one classic you should always keep in mind. Hurry 'busy' around the premises with a coffee cup in one hand and a notebook in the other. Plan your route around the house carefully, and take the trip a couple of times a day.

And finally (and most importantly)

If you have the surplus energy, you should also consider:

• Being yourself – but not painfully honest.
• Providing answers – not asking (too many) questions.
• Formulating negatives positively – not negatively.
• Being clear, concrete, and brief – in emails, conversations, and presentations. And help the boss to do the same.
• Viewing your boss as your customer – sell your ideas.
• Being cool – super cool.

Happy hunting – and don't forget the boss at home...

[This text is a rewrite and translation of a piece on leadership I wrote back in 2007 for computerworld.dk]