Here's how you can foster a positive relationship with your boss.

One thing that has worked for me is being transparent and building authentic relationships with my supervisors. This includes having tough conversations about expectations and lack of resources or the need for help. As a high achieving employee, I think people consistently expect you to be “on go” 100% of the time and that’s not how life works. When you build authentic relationships with your supervisor this is easier to articulate.

Para mantener una buena relación laboral (con quien sea) es indispensable que la comunicación sea clara, directa y fluida. La mayoría de las veces tenemos una relación de tensión con nuestro jefe porque hay asuntos que no se hablan, se suponen o se dan por hecho. ¡Error!

Don't wait for your boss to come to you. Schedule regular check-ins (weekly or bi-weekly, depending on your role) to discuss projects, progress, and any roadblocks you face. Clear communication keeps your boss informed and avoids misunderstandings, just like keeping your teammates updated during a group project. Issues arise? Don't just dump them on your boss's desk. Come prepared with potential solutions. You encounter a bug in your code. Instead of just reporting it, you present your boss with a potential fix or a workaround you researched.

Communicate Proactively: Keep your boss informed about your projects, progress, and any challenges you face. Seek clarification when needed and ask for feedback on your work. Show Initiative: Take on additional responsibilities or projects when appropriate, demonstrating your commitment and proactive attitude. Offer solutions or suggestions that add value to the team or organization. Be Reliable and Dependable: Meet deadlines consistently and deliver high-quality work. Follow through on commitments

While understanding your boss's expectations is important, overly focusing on aligning with their objectives can be limiting. This approach might stifle ones creativity and autonomy. In some cases, bosses may have unclear or shifting expectations, leading to confusion and frustration. If your boss's objectives are misaligned with the broader organizational goals, focusing solely on meeting their expectations can be counterproductive. Developing a strong relationship should involve setting your own professional goals, seeking feedback from multiple sources, and maintaining a balance between meeting expectations and pursuing innovative ideas.

Propose Solutions: Instead of just pointing out problems, suggest potential solutions. Showing initiative by proposing solutions is a key way to demonstrate your proactive attitude, problem-solving skills, and commitment to your role. Start by Identifying the Problem Clearly, Analyze the Root Cause, Generate Multiple Solutions, Present the Solutions, Recommend the Best Solution, Be Prepared for Questions.

Respect Their Time: Be punctual for meetings and mindful of their schedule. Avoid unnecessary interruptions. Professional Language: Use professional and respectful language in all communications, whether verbal or written.

Be open to constructive criticism, more than that, Act on that Feedback: Show that you value their input by implementing their suggestions and demonstrating improvement.

Build Rapport Personal Touch: Show interest in their well-being and personal interests without overstepping professional boundaries. Positive Attitude: Maintain a positive and can-do attitude, even when discussing challenges or setbacks.