How do I influence my boss? It is a question that comes up every time I do a one-day training course on managing multiple priorities.

In my experience, there is no single correct answer. I have seen many complex and diverse work situations and finding out what works for you is the only thing that matters. Here are two general guidelines:

Personality and Strengths

1 – Separate personality from taking it personally.

It is a daily process, and for some people, it doesn’t come easily. I have seen many bright, young professionals waste too much time and energy worrying, “Does my boss like me?” or worse, become mentally hijacked because they took their boss’s comment personally and allowed their emotions to best them.

In any relationship there will be ups and downs. But don’t let this shake the foundation you’ve built with your manager.

For example — your boss says your idea won’t work and maybe even calls it a dumb idea. You get angry, and next time, you go around them. Your boss finds out, and this turns into a more significant issue. Something you both hold onto for a long time.

It can be challenging to try and understand someone when your feelings get hurt.

What is your boss’s personality?

If you want to be influential, you have to observe and identify the type of personality your boss has and how they make decisions.  Fast Company makes some sharp observations on four boss personalities in this article.

I know there is a lack of effort in making these observations when I ask this question in time management training and people respond with one word: “difficult.”

“Seek first to understand, then to be understood.” Stephen Covey

Here are the four basic personality types:

  • Driver: fast-paced authoritative behavior
  • Relater: involvement with people
  • Innovator: lots of “why” questions
  • Analyzer: attention to detail

When you better understand your boss’s personality, there is less chance you’ll take things personally.

2 – Know Your Boss’s Strengths

What does my boss do really well and how can I set them up for success?

For example — if your boss is excellent at presentations and spends hours crafting skillful decks, acknowledge their strength and ask if they want support. Hopefully, something they are less skilled at will be a strength of yours or of someone else on the team.

Spending time working in areas where we are incompetent or average, is unproductive and makes for an unfulfilling career.

When we can use our strengths at work daily, we start to develop a real sense of contribution and satisfaction.

Asking yourself “what does my boss do well” can be a great assistance to them, especially if they are inundated with projects, reports, and putting out fires.

It can be very easy for you to lose sight of your manager’s strengths when they are overwhelmed by work.

Influencing your boss comes down to understanding their personality and strengths. And this is a daily process that requires persistence and patience.

by Eric Papp

Time Management Speaker

 

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