It goes without saying that your relationship with your boss is one of the most important you have at work. So what do you do if you’re just not getting along? Here are some ways to improve your rapport.
- Align on goals. Talk to your manager and clarify what they expect of you. The onus is on you to establish a two-way conversation that aligns their priorities with your own. Signal to your boss that you’re on board with their agenda.
- Empathize. If you think your manager’s expectations are unrealistic, try to see things from their perspective. Understand their priorities and any pressures they may be under.
- Focus on the positive. Don’t dwell on your boss’s annoying habits. Change your mindset by trying to find the good in your boss — everyone has something worth respecting.
- Connect. Try to get to know your manager on a personal level by engaging them in conversation on topics beyond work. Figure out what they care about. Is it a sports team? Stamp collecting? A particular music group? Look for overlapping interests.
Adapted from "What to Do When You and Your Boss Aren't Getting Along," by Rebecca Knight.
