Quality Time — With Your Boss?

“You will always move toward anyone who increases you and away from anyone who makes you less.”
-  Mike Murdock

2015 begins and is already crowded with people and projects demanding our time and attention.  But what about our relationship with our supervisor – is this a duty or opportunity? And how much time should you be spending with him or her?

Six hours. That is the number derived by the consulting firm Leadership IQ, which found that individuals who averaged at least six hours a week with their boss felt more inspired, engaged, and motivated than their colleagues who spent less time.  

I was fortunate to have a long career in a great organization, including working for twenty-seven supervisors in thirty-two years.  OK, job stability was not my strength!  My worst relationship was with my first supervisor.  I was twenty-two years old, fresh out of college, and excited to begin my professional career after a great interview process.  My supervisor was an experienced technician but not a leader — I was neglected and seriously considered leaving the company.  Multiple studies show that the first 90 days in a new job significantly affect long-term satisfaction with the organization.  Why did I stay?  My peers stepped in for the vacant leader and showed me the way – a positive culture trumped a bad boss.

The best supervisory relationship I experienced was very different.  I knew what was expected, understood the personal side of my boss, and was encouraged to spend time with him.  Our personal conversations centered on many topics, occasionally work, and he inspired me to excel.  His gift to me was his time – my job was to make sure it was quality time.       

Three keys to building and sustaining a good relationship with your boss:

Manage Up
Understanding and meeting the needs of your boss is an art, often referred to as managing up.  This is not about schmoozing your way to the top – the corporate career graveyard is filled with self-promoting wannabes.  Leaders want to know what you are working on, what you have completed, and how you can help them.  Find out their preference for staying connected – personal visits, email, or phone calls.  Every boss wants to be successful – what are you contributing to meet that need?

Individual First/Boss Second 
Where was your boss born?  Does your boss have any brothers or sisters?  Learning the personal stories of our colleagues — particularly our supervisor — builds trust.  Get to know your supervisor by paying attention as they describe vacations or what they did over the weekend. Look for common ground between their interests and what you enjoy – concentrating on similarities versus differences generates the energy needed to deepen a relationship.

Dialogue 
A transactional relationship between two individuals is filled with yes/no answers, emails v. conversations, and focuses on short term results.  The alternative is a relationship grounded in dialogue – a partnership featuring open conversations designed to build understanding and collaboration.  Dialogue enables both parties to work together effectively based on mutual respect.  A few examples of what dialogue looks like: good questions, appreciation, and creative solutions.    

The new year offers an opportunity to take a fresh look at the individual who impacts your work assignments, financial rewards, and career opportunities.  Build a stronger relationship with your boss by effectively managing up, focusing on their personal side, and earning the privilege of open dialogue. 

Quality time with your boss?  Remove the question mark and embrace the opportunity.