Your Boss holds your future prospects in his/her hands. Expect very few favors from a Boss who does not like you. Some Bosses are hard to please and get along with. Some have excellent qualifications but no idea when it comes to dealing with people. Of course, not all bosses are like that.
Bad relationships with the Boss cannot only mean missed advancement opportunities; it is one of the major reasons for high staff turnover. If you resign because of the Boss, you may also expect a dent in your professional reputation. Imagine having to provide such an 'ex' Boss as the contact referral person at your next interview?
The relationship you have with your boss can be a major factor in determining your rise up the ladder. Your Boss isn't only your supervisor, he/she is also the person best equipped (or should be) to help you do the job you are paid to do. He/she is privy to the company's goals and knows what the company is looking for in future executives. He/she can inform you of company direction that may affect your future aspirations. He/she can put in a good word for you in the right ears. He/she is also your ally when you need back up, support or cooperation from other departments.
Your Boss also needs you, performing at your best, in order to accomplish his/her objectives. He/she needs your feedback in order to provide realistic and useful reports to upper management. You can make your boss look good or bad.
But how does this help you establish a meaningful working relationship with your Boss?
The key is communication. Learn and understand his/her goals and priorities. What is required of him/her and how can you help him/her achieve that? Observe and understand your Boss' work style. If he/she has not been clear with his expectations, ask! Likewise, ask for feedback and accept criticism gracefully. And if he/she understands you do not view your job as just something to fill the hours between 9 and 5, he/she may be more inclined to help you.
Know your Boss' priorities and try to anticipate his/her needs before he/she asks. Don't think narrowly in terms of your own immediate position... try to understand where what you do ties in with the bigger picture.
What other things can you discover about your Boss? Is he/she conservative or informal? Does he/she prefer to be greeted as Mr, Ms, Miss or Mrs, or prefers first names? Is his/hers an "open door" policy or does he/she prefer you set appointments with them? Respect your boss' time. Never barge into their office expecting or demanding a hearing immediately. Does he/she prefer to be kept informed with progress reports, or prefer you show initiative and get on with the job? Discover and eliminate behaviors that would annoy your boss, and never bad-mouth him/her to others. It always gets back via office grapevines.
Your boss is only human. Like you, he/she has off days, and being human, can also make mistakes. Some managers are naturals, and others struggle because communication and people skills are not their strong points. They may not have all the answers, and maybe, their own boss is hard to get along with or has unrealistic expectations!
Don't be a "yes man" and don't offer false flattery in the hope of getting somewhere... it won't work! And don't aim for "closeness" in the working relationship because this can also backfire. If your boss depends upon you too much, he/she won't recommend you for promotions because you are needed too much where you are. Another possibility is, if he/she is not a good manager, he/she may be given their marching orders... if you are seen to be a part of his/her management mishaps, you may be marching out the door with him/her!
Do what you can to stay in his/her good books. Don't take "sickies" unless you ARE sick! Be an effective, cooperative, responsible and courteous employee and team player.
It is possible that you are already these things, and you are working for somebody whose management style disagrees with your needs or expectations. Maybe friction cannot be avoided. So you need to decide just how important your career path in that particular company is, because if you can't adjust and work with it, you may be better off looking for a new job in a new department or company.
In short, getting along with your Boss entails getting to know his/her likes and dislikes and learning to work with his/her personality and management style. And the upside about mastering communication and people skills with your own boss is that one day, those skills will pay off in your own management role with your own team.
