Want to influence how your boss perceives you?

Try putting yourself in their shoes

By Vicki Updike

If you are having a hard time aligning with your leader or boss, maybe it’s time to reframe your thinking. Have you ever stopped to think of all of the things your boss is responsible for? Putting yourself in their shoes allows you to improve your perspective and influence how your boss thinks of you. Your boss is one of your top priorities and taking time to coach up can change the relationship.  Here are just a few suggestions to help you coach up and influence how your boss perceives you.

Take tasks off their plate

A good place to start is making sure you’re taking more things off your boss’ plate than you are adding to it. If you wait to be told what to do, you’re adding to their long list of tasks. Think through what your boss needs from you, and then go do it. Take action and allow yourself to come up with a solution. Many times, we use the time with our boss to talk about all the problems we are dealing with instead of taking charge and coming up with solutions. Don’t be afraid to find a solution because you think you’re not the right person for the job or think someone else might be more knowledgeable in that area. Work with your colleagues to see what you can do to solve problems and create solutions before bringing it to your manager. If you overstep, that is another opportunity for you as a leader to learn and grow.

Don’t be afraid to have a difference of opinion

Having a voice and having your unique perspective brings value to your boss and others.  It’s those differences that make teams valuable.  It’s ok for you to have a different view as your boss or colleagues, but it is important to disagree in an agreeable way. One way to disagree is to say something like “I think differently about that” or “it seems that this might be a better way for us as an organization.”  Sharing your perspective is not a determination of what is right or wrong, its truly understanding the difference then determining solutions.

Manage your emotions

Focus on solutions when you speak with your boss and colleagues, you will create a more effective conversation. Emotion is rarely persuasive and can more often get in the way of others understanding your perspective. 

It is important to express emotion at the right time and for the right reasons. Showing passion about a project and showing emotion about a project are two different things. Passion is what will drive you and your team, while emotions can bring down everyone involved. Having emotion behind what you do can easily be misunderstand. While passion is having strong opinions and shows a deep dedication to the position.

Managing the perception that people have of you will allow you to grow your skills and lead in a more prominent manner. For more information or to be coached on this subject, give us a call at 920.410.8219 or visit our website.