Leadership is an important part of any company, and the people who fill leadership roles often make or break the success of their business. Does your career path involve leadership of some kind? Do you want to be the manager of a company or own your own business in the future? If your job search goals include leading others, we want to know how you’re preparing for that role. Let us know by voting in our poll!
Movin’ On Up is brought to you by Express Employment Professionals.
Being the boss can be tough. You have to keep up with everything, assign work, and evaluate employees. But, supervisors are still human and want to feel appreciated.
So, when was the last time you and your co-workers showed appreciation to your boss? Since showing appreciation is important, here are five ways to give thanks to your boss this holiday season.
Offer the Gift of Time
Taking the time to listen and talk with your boss is a simple way to show appreciation. Offer to take on a few tasks to help lessen your supervisor’s workload. Your boss gets overwhelmed just like you do, so showing appreciation with the gift of time is invaluable.
Open Up
Next time you have an appropriate chance, ask your boss something that doesn’t have to do with work. Ask their opinion about a news story or advice on vacation plans. Ask about their family or just simply ask how they are doing. Giving your boss the opportunity to talk about what he or she is passionate about can create a bond that also shows you are genuinely interested in your boss as a person.
Respect Your Boss
One of the easiest and most important ways to appreciate your boss is to simply show him or her respect. Respect can be shown by working hard on projects, being at work on time, volunteering new ideas, supporting your boss’ decisions, and listening attentively.
Stay Positive
Being a positive influence in the office means more than you think. Try to be helpful, cheerful, and willing to take on new tasks or projects. Enthusiastically asking for ways you can help out more at the office also shows a sunny disposition, and chances are your boss will appreciate your positive attitude.
Give Thanks
Many people have forgotten the simple gift of saying “thank you.” For instance, if your supervisor gives you a new project, thank him or her for the opportunity. If you get approval on an idea, be quick to show your gratitude. For big projects or requests, a handwritten thank-you note is a nice touch as well.
Everyone likes to be appreciated, and showing gratitude can go a long way. Start a culture of appreciation in your office, and more than likely, you’ll start to see appreciation come your way as well.
How do you express your appreciation for your co-workers or boss? Share your best tips with us in the comments section below!
Movin’ On Up is brought to you by Express Employment Professionals.
Boss’s Day is Friday, Oct. 16! This day is dedicated to showing appreciation for managers and those who lead in the workplace. If you’d like to join in the celebration of bosses across the country, check out these easy gift ideas.
What ideas do you have for Boss’s Day? Share with us in the comments section below!
Movin’ On Up is brought to you by Express Employment Professionals.
Saying the wrong things to your boss can damage your career in ways that are hard to recover from. It’s important to think before you speak, even when you are upset or passionate about an issue. It’s the first step in keeping a positive relationship with your boss, and while it might sound easy, you’d be surprised how many struggle with this idea. Throwing away certain phrases that most bosses hate is the second step.
So to save you from sticking your foot in your mouth, here’s a quick list of five things you should never say to your boss.
1. “I can’t” or “That’s impossible.”
Never tell your boss that something cannot be done. Choose to speak about what can be done instead, and always think of how you can solve problems instead of falling victim to them.
“It can’t be done by Friday” can be turned into, “This may be difficult to complete by Friday, but I know it can be completed by Monday,” or, “We could meet this Friday deadline, but we may need to bring in extra help to do so.”
If you can create solutions for what seems like an impossible situation, your boss is more likely to help you achieve it.
2. “But, we’ve always done it this way.”
Don’t get stuck in the past. If you have a new boss who wants to do things a new way or an old boss who wants to try something different, meet the challenge straight away. If you say, ”But, we’ve always done it this way,” you run the risk of looking stale and combative.
Be a part of the brainstorming process and be open to new ways of doing things. If you are gravely concerned about a new process, present it as a challenge by saying, “In order for this to work, we may have to…”
Don’t kill your boss’ idea with a stubborn or negative attitude. Show you are open to growing as an employee and willing to work with your boss, for better or worse. Who knows? You may just learn a valuable new skill or find a better way of doing something.
3. “That’s not my job” or “That’s not my department”
If your boss comes to you with an assignment or a request, don’t shut him or her down with, “That’s not part of my job description.” Your boss needs your help and has come to you, because he or she has faith you can do that task. If you’re concerned a new assignment is out of your regular responsibilities, ask who you can turn to for help.
By taking on an outside responsibility, you have the chance to not only shine in your boss’ eyes, but also learn a new skill set. It’s the perfect opportunity to show those in charge that you are a team player and a bold employee who rises to the challenge.
4. “It’s not my fault” or “It’s so and so’s fault, not mine.”
If you make a mistake, own up to it. If you didn’t make a mistake, explain that fact without pointing fingers or sounding petulant.
Never point fingers at another coworker or someone else. This is not only in poor taste, but makes you look unprofessional. If you believe someone else could clarify the situation, refer your manager to them directly.
Bosses know that mistakes happen. The sign of a confident and professional employee is one who can honestly admit to a mistake – and offer solutions to fix it.
5. “I don’t know…”
No one expects you to know everything, but saying “I don’t know” and leaving it at that can be a career-killer. If you don’t know the answer to something your boss asks, say instead, “I’m not sure, but I can find out.”
By offering to discover the answer to whatever question your leaders have, you show them you are eager, curious, a problem-solver, and committed. You’ll learn something new too, and by volunteering to find the information, you’ll end up as a vital resource to your company.
Saying the right things at the right time
No employee is perfect all the time. Everyone sticks their foot in their mouth in front of their boss now and again, but avoiding the career-killer phrases above will help minimize any damage.
Do you have phrases to add? Did we miss anything on this list? Let us know in the comments section below!
Movin’ On Up is brought to you by Express Employment Professionals.
Thursday, Oct. 16, is Boss’ Day – a whole day to celebrate your manager and all they do, from offering career advice and guidance to providing paychecks and having the power to offer you a promotion.
Much about a job depends on the manager. Originally, this fun day started as a way to say thank you to bosses, but has since gained popularity for being an opportunity to build relationships with managers and co-workers.
As everyone knows, there are some bosses who are wonderful and others who aren’t as great. They often have the ability to make you love your job or send you running for the hills in frustration. In fact, a previous Movin’ On Up poll revealed that 13% of people who left their jobs did so because they weren’t getting along with their supervisor.
Regardless of whether or not you like your boss, positive workplace relationships, especially when it comes to managers, are important for job success and work satisfaction. So, here are four easy ways to celebrate your leader and help give your career a boost. And remember, it doesn’t hurt to do these every day, not just on Boss’ Day!
1. Show Up to Work On Time
In your boss’ eyes, time is money. You were hired to perform a task for a certain number of hours of the day, and your manager expects you to fulfill your end of the bargain. It’s understandable you’re going to be late sometimes due to traffic, illness, trying to get the kids out the door, or car problems. But when you show up late repeatedly it communicates that you don’t really like your job and don’t want to be there. Ease your boss’ stress in the morning – be on time!
2. Be a Self-Starter
Bosses love to see their employees take the initiative on projects. Are there any ways to make your work better than it already is? If so, do it. Is there a class you want to take to enhance your skills? Ask if you can enroll. Find one thing on boss’ day to do that you weren’t asked to – it won’t go unnoticed.
3. Fight the Temptation to Complain
When you have a work problem you want to vent about, choose not to. Instead, use that energy to your advantage and try to find a positive solution on your own. Rather than make a big deal out of it and attract unnecessary attention, show that you can approach the problem calmly and professionally. It’s okay if you can’t solve the issue and need your manager’s help. Just be sure to voice possible solutions you came up with.
4. Be Kind
You never know how far a kind word can go. Tell your boss what a great job they did leading a recent meeting or handling a difficult client or customer. It could even be as simple as a “thank you” for what he or she does every day. It’s expected for supervisors to give words of praise when employees do things well, but who is there to offer recognition when leaders do something right? Bosses need encouragement, too.
These four tips are sure to make Boss’ Day 2014 a success. Although they may be simple, they can deliver a mighty impact and could enhance your career.
Have any other advice or words of wisdom for celebrating Boss’ Day? Share your thoughts in the comments section below!
Movin’ On Up is brought to you by Express Employment Professionals.
The top fashion color for 2014 may still be Radiant Orchid according to Pantone, but green accessories are also in style this fall, especially the kind that fill up your wallet or purse. And with the start of the fourth quarter and end of the year drawing near, now could be a good time to consider asking for a raise. This can undoubtedly be an intimidating task, so here are three steps to prepare you for taking the next step.
1. Consider the timing.
Timing is everything, particularly when it comes to asking for a salary increase. So, think about if right now is the optimum time to discuss the subject of a raise with your boss. Take into consideration the economy, how well the company is doing, if there have been signs of budget cuts or increases lately, and when compensation adjustments are usually done. On the other hand, if your employer does performance reviews at the end of the year, right now could be the perfect time to bring up the possibility of a raise. Often, employers have already budgeted for pay increases prior to employee reviews.
2. Do your homework.
If the timing seems right, then you need to do your homework so you’re prepared to logically and persuasively make your request. If you’re asking for a pay increase, there needs to be a good reason for it. Simply showing up every day and doing what’s expected of you isn’t enough. You must be able to prove that you’ve exceeded expectations, reached and gone past your performance goals, or provided tremendous value to the company. Keeping a running list of your accomplishments and praises from others will help ensure you don’t forget anything important. Your list should also include legitimate numbers that place a quantitative value on your work.
3. Second-guess yourself.
Once you think the time is right and you’ve gathered all the pertinent information, stop and second-guess yourself. Consider if your work performance and accomplishments truly merit a pay increase. Can you numerically show how your work has positively impacted your employer’s profits? If the answer is yes, then think about your attitude. Are you entering this process with a humble, thankful spirit or with an attitude of arrogance and entitlement? Even if you truly have earned a salary increase, your attitude and how you handle conversation with your boss could be the deciding factor in you seeing a higher number on your next paystub.
Everyone wants a raise, but most people don’t want to have the uncomfortable conversation about it with their managers. After all, it can be scary and intimidating to ask your boss for more money. If you properly prepare for it, though, asking for a raise can be a positive experience.
Do you have other tips for successfully asking for a salary increase? How have you secured raises in the past? Share your experiences of asking for pay raises in the comments section below.
Movin’ On Up is brought to you by Express Employment Professionals.
Most companies have annual reviews with employees to help track progress and evaluate their performance. But, it can feel overwhelming to look back and remember all your accomplishments and struggles. After all, a lot can happen in 12 months. Right now, mid-way through the year, is the perfect time to do a little prep work for your future annual review.
Read Previous Reviews
The first place to start is with your previous review. Scanning any notes you took or documents your supervisor provided at your last annual review will help you recall specific goals or expectations that you set for the year. It may also help to review several of your past reviews so you have a good picture of your long-term growth.
Start Your List
Compile a complete list of your recent accomplishments and completed projects. Include information to help measure the success of your work. Also, jot down any accolades or training you’ve received so far. All of this will help you and your supervisor have an accurate picture of your performance this year.
Meet With Your Manager
If you don’t already meet regularly, explain to your supervisor that you’re doing a mid-year check-up and would like to meet with them within the next few weeks. During the meeting, ask for their feedback on your performance and accomplishments over the last six months. To avoid waiting until it’s too late, also ask if you need to change anything moving forward in the second half of the year to meet your annual goals.
Make a Plan
Once you have a good idea of what you’ve done and what you need to change, make a plan for the next six months. Write out any specific actions that you or your manager noted you need to take. If there are still training or performance goals that you haven’t met yet, outline how you’re going to accomplish them before your annual review.
Just because your employer doesn’t require or instigate a mid-year review doesn’t mean you should skip it. Spending a little time and effort this summer could make all the difference in how your review turns out at year’s-end. Plus, it can turn a dreaded experience into a positive one.
Does your employer conduct a mid-year review, or do you do one on your own? Have you found it to be helpful? Let us know what you think in the comments section.
Movin’ On Up is brought to you by Express Employment Professionals.
