How To Be A Good Employee

Sep 10, 12 | 12:08 am

By Gaby Feile

So much advice is given to leaders and managers on how to treat their staff. Experts share endless tips with them to show them how to make their employees happy. Yet is this actually a one-way-street? No.

How good the relationship between a boss and an employee is depends on two sides – just as in any relationship. This is why I would like to share 5 tips with all the employees out there.

If you want to have a positive and professional relationship with your boss, invest in it by doing the following:

1.    Use common sense

Managers don’t want to be bothered with the smallest issues. They expect you to do your job and usually will back you up if you take a decision. Yet they need to understand why you took it. Using common sense is a pretty good way to take  decisions that will not be questioned later on.

2.    Come up with solutions not with problems

The news: leaders are not there to solve problems. They are there to support their team in solving problems. So, if you are challenged with some tough situation and would like to talk it through with your boss, prepare well. Define the problem and at the same time define a solution. If you do need the “go” of your boss, come up with several options (2 or 3 should be fine). Make sure you present the pros and cons and say what you recommend and why. This way, they will remember you for your excellent problem solving skills.

3.    Communicate clearly

Just as with everyone, you should communicate with your boss in a clear manner. Avoid sending lengthy e-mails or calling with incomplete facts. Think about what your boss really needs to know and provide the essentials and the next steps. Avoid sending him/her a copy of nearly every e-mail. Rather report results instead of informing them of every little step of the process.

4.    Give regular updates

Whether your boss has delegated a task to you, you are managing a project or you simply do your job, make sure you keep your boss in the loop. You don’t want to be chased for information, so don’t wait until you are called into the boss’s office to report. Ask for a regular one-to-one in which you report all the major developments. And do mention pending issues, too. They want to be sure that you are working on them even if there is no progress. Remember number 3 when you do your updates!

5.    Appreciate, appreciate, appreciate

Your boss is human, too! Just like everyone else, s/he needs appreciation to be motivated. So don’t treat them like they are super heroes. Do express your gratitude, your joy and your surprise. For help how to show appreciation, turn to these tips.

I am curious:

All you leaders and managers: What do you expect from your employees?

All you employees: What is it that you do to have a positive relationship with your boss?

Please share your tips right here. Thank you.

"I have learnt most things from reading, travelling and asking questions." (Gaby Feile)

About Gaby Feile

Since the age of 5, Gaby Feile has been fascinated by words. She read the newspapers before entering school and could write as early as this. Her personal writing style has been influenced by an international life style and an open mind. Gaby has learned to listen with her eyes and speak with her hands and has become an excellent observer and appreciated listener. She knows that asking questions is more important and more effective than making statements.

With her company "Kommboutique", Gaby delivers feel-good communication that creates memorable moments through positive emotions. People who like her approach can book her as a copywriter, moderator, or idea producer.

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