Boss Relationship: Strategies & Techniques for Promotion

Question 1

What is the problem of NOT complementing your boss?

Answer 1

secretly growing resentful: AsRobert Greene notes, leaders can secretly grow resentful. When they get no appreciation whatsoever, bosses feel like their reports are being ungrateful.

Question 2

What are the two strategies to complement your boss without sounding fake or flattering?

Answer 2

mirror and support: Robert Greene suggests to compliment bosses on what they are insecure about, or using different words to feed them back their own opinions. When you hear your boss telling you “exactly!”, you know you are doing it right.

Question 3

What is the rule of thumb for a bad and good way of complementing your boss?

Answer 3

As a rule of thumb, “thank you compliments” are safe. “Well done compliments” are riskier.

Question 4

How can you self-promote without overshadowing your boss?

Answer 4

• Tout your achievements, but frame them as “wins for the team”
• Tout your achievements, but frame it as “team efforts”
• Tout your achievements, but also credit your boss

Question 5

How can you prioritise the work asked by your boss?

Answer 5

• Answer his emails quickly
• Reply first when he poses a question on the team chat
• Raise your hand first after he’s done a presentation
• Be the first to finish whatever survey he sends around the team

Question 6

Why should you always reply back to your boss when he gives you a compliment?

Answer 6

Don’t leave him/her in silent. It can show disrespect, lack of interest or a sense of superiority

Question 7

What are the 6 different ways to align non-verbal communication with your boss?

Answer 7

• Direct / indirect(indirect with indirect bosses, and when you need to “power protect”)
• Quick / long-winded
• Chit chat before business talk / straight to business talk
• Formal / informal
• Rituals of speech(give the power back to your boss)
• In person / electronic > sign of being introvert/extrovert

Question 8

Why is it so crucial to understand if your boss is an introvert or extrovert when using different communication channels?

Answer 8

• Introvert: people who avoid in-person communication feel like you are violating them if you keep seeking in-person interactions.
• Extrovert: people who prefer talking in person will feel like you are shifty/devious if you write instead of talking.

Question 9

What examples can you give on what to reply or not on rituals of speech with your boss?

Answer 9

• Examples on what NOT to do:
  
  • Boss: thank you for sending over the report
  • You: no worries, cheers > you keep the power and relax
  • Boss: (yeah, always have to check on you…)
  • ….
  • Boss: thank you for sending over the report
  • You: you’re welcome! > you keep the power and feel superior
  • Boss: (little prick, welcome for what?!)
• Examples on what to do:
  
  • Boss: thank you for sending over the report
  • You: no, thank you for checking on this! > give him the power back
  • Boss: (yeah, that’s my boy! He appreaciates my time.)