Asal Tutorial : How to Keep Your Boss Happy

In most jobs, you’re going to have to work under a boss. Although sometimes this can be a bit hasslesome, it’s important to keep your boss happy in order to succeed. The 2 best ways to do this are to take steps to improve your relationship with your boss and impress them whenever you can. Of course, if your boss is particularly hard to work with, there are also some things you can do to make working under them easier to manage.

[Edit]Steps

[Edit]Improving Your Relationship

Adopt your boss’s professional goals as your own. Find out what is important to your boss and make it important to you. Shift your workplace demeanor and output so that your boss sees you as a relatable and dependable employee.^[1]
- For example, if your boss is highly motivated to beat their deadlines, then do your best to get everything in ahead of schedule.
- Don’t sacrifice your own goals or priorities for the sake of your boss’s. Rather, incorporate as many of your boss’s goals into your own plans as best you can. For example, if there is a project that your boss is particularly passionate about, work on that project when you can, but don’t sacrifice your other priorities to do so.
Spend time getting to know your boss to understand them better. Make a note of anything that you and your boss have in common so you can talk about it with them. In general conversation, find an opportunity to make your boss aware of your similar interests. This will not only help you to understand how they think, but will also make them like you more.^[2]
- For example, if you and your boss both like the same sport, find out what team they root for and try to follow that team’s games. This way, you can talk to your boss about the team whenever the opportunity arises.
- The best time to have this type of conversation is in the break room at lunch or during a period of downtime where neither of you are expected to be working at that moment. This makes having a non-work conversation more acceptable.
- Note that you shouldn’t become too friendly with your boss. Remember to keep your relationship professional, even if you’re having a casual conversation.
Be agreeable with your boss whenever possible. Try to agree with your boss, more often than not, without compromising your own values. Be willing to disagree with them when you need to, but take every opportunity to demonstrate to your boss that you’re “on their side.”^[3]
- This applies to working with other colleagues under your boss, as well. Show your boss and your coworkers that you’re a team player.
- Be as supportive as you can in controversial situations, even if you really don't like your boss' behavior. This puts you in a position to be honest with your boss without seeming confrontational.
Do work that helps out your boss. Remember, your boss’s success is also your own success. Find out what project or task your boss tends to spend a lot of their time on and take steps to work on it in your spare time. This is especially helpful if this task is particularly stressful for your boss and they don’t have the time to finish it on their own.^[4]
- For example, if your workplace requires a lot of paperwork, especially from your boss, then fill out some of the paperwork that your boss normally does (as long as you’re allowed to do this).
- You may have to ask your boss if you can give them a hand with their task. Don’t be afraid to do this! In fact, they may appreciate the simple fact that you offered to help.
Be consistent with your work and your mood. Your boss is probably under a lot of stress in their job, so they will appreciate any employee who is predictable and reliable. Don’t let stress or your boss being angry affect the quality of your work or your mood in the workplace.^[5]
- For example, if you have a lot on your plate at the moment and your boss asks you if you can help them out with a project, don’t complain about having more work to do. Say “sure, I’d be happy to” and do your work as best you can.
- At the same time, don’t overpromise or commit to doing additional work that you don’t have the time to do well. If you do this extra work poorly, it won’t make your boss happy at all.

[Edit]Impressing Your Boss

Show up early and leave later than your boss whenever you can. This will make you look like a dedicated employee and a very hard worker. If your boss shows up early as well, this may also give you the chance to have more one-on-one conversation with them.^[6]
- Make sure you’re actually doing work when you’re in the workplace. It won’t do you much good to show up early and sit around doing nothing!
Look for opportunities to go above and beyond. Submit your work ahead of deadline and do extra work when you can. If there are opportunities to help another department get a task done, volunteer to help out. This will make you look like an exceptional worker with lots of potential, which your boss will appreciate.^[7]
- Moving beyond your workplace boundaries is also a good way to learn as much about your company and industry as you can. You’ll need this knowledge to expand in your career.
Speak up during meetings, especially if other employees won’t. Don't be afraid to share your ideas, especially if they can help increase productivity or make someone's job easier. This will reinforce your boss’s image of you as a team player and as someone who’s willing to take initiative.^[8]
- Take the opportunity to ask good questions during meetings that show you care about the company. For example, ask something like “What is the best way to carry out this project so that we’re being as efficient as possible?”
- Don’t be overly vocal or aggressive when you disagree with something. Remember to be polite and courteous in these meetings.
Take initiative and do things without having to be told. If there’s a project or task that you know will need to be done, go ahead and do it rather than wait for your boss to assign it to you. This will help you demonstrate your strong work ethic and foresight, which your boss will highly appreciate.^[9]
- Be sure you don’t step on anyone’s toes when you do this. If there’s a looming project that normally would go to someone else, make sure you clear it with them before tackling it yourself.

[Edit]Dealing with a Difficult Manager

Avoid letting your boss’s behavior affect the quality of your work. Make your work a reflection of your own personal “brand” as an employee. Remind yourself that when you’re in the workplace, people who can open or close future opportunities for you may be evaluating your work.^[10]
- This means that it’s never a good career decision to flub your work in order to “get back” at your boss.
- It also helps to remember that your boss may be taking out personal stress on you; it may have nothing to do with you personally.
Identify the triggers that cause your boss to be angry or critical. Figure out if there’s something you’re doing that triggers your boss’s anger and refrain from doing it around them. Adapting to your boss’s style, while avoiding their pet peeves, is a great way to make your workplace a more friendly environment.^[11]
- For example, if you know your boss hates it when work is even a few minutes late, do your best to always get your work done by deadline or ahead of time to avoid making them upset.
- At the same time, don’t kowtow to a boss who’s being a bully. For example, speak out if your boss does or says something that offends you. Adapt to your boss as best you can without sacrificing your own peace of mind.
Work ahead to avoid giving your boss a reason to be angry. If you’re constantly falling behind on deadlines or turning in subpar work, your boss may think you’re harming the company’s integrity. Being a dependable employee will not only keep your boss happy, but will also make you stand out next to your colleagues.^[12]
- You might be able to do this by putting in extra work after hours, or by taking steps to reduce inefficiency in your normal workday. For example, if you find yourself getting groggy at midday, consider taking a 5-minute break to stretch and get your blood flowing again.
- Learn what exactly your boss expects from your work and try to meet those expectations as best you can. If you’re not sure what they expect, ask them a question like: “Can you tell me how exactly I should do this? I want to make sure I’m doing it exactly right.”
Be willing to set boundaries and confront a “bad boss” if needed. If the workplace environment becomes toxic because of your boss’s behavior, respectfully tell them about it. A good boss will recognize the importance of their employees’ mental and emotional health and change their behavior as a result.^[13]
- For example, if your boss is constantly criticizing your visual appearance, say something like “It makes me uncomfortable when you criticize my appearance; could you please not do that so I can focus on my work?”
Reach out to Human Resources if your boss’s behavior is a serious problem. HR employees will help to mediate any issues or conflicts that have arisen between you and your boss. They will also be able to help you figure out how to resolve conflicts before they emerge in the future.^[14]
- Note that HR will not automatically “take your side” in this situation. Their job is to make the workplace a safer, more constructive environment, not to pick winners and losers.
- Be direct when communicating with HR and let them know exactly what you’ve experienced with your boss.