How to get on your boss’ good side without being seen as a sickening bootlicker

boss and employee at work Image Credits: theladders.com

When it comes to pleasing your boss, you want to make sure you don’t cross the line into the overpraise territory.

Here are a few tips on how to get on your boss’ good side without being seen as a sickening bootlicker.

Be a team player

Don’t be afraid to share credit for successes. When things go well, make sure your boss knows who to thank. Your colleagues will appreciate the recognition, and it will help you build a good relationship with your boss and your coworkers.

Suggest new ideas

First, try to find a time when your boss is open to new ideas. Maybe they’re venturing into an unexplored collaboration or finding fresh inspirations for business development. If you can, try and catch them when they’re in a good mood.

Next, make sure your idea is feasible. Don’t suggest something impossible or that’s going to take too much time and resources. Your boss will probably appreciate your effort, but it would be useless if they can’t follow through.

Finally, be clear and concise. Get to the point and explain why your idea is a good solution to the problem at hand. Remember, your boss is busy, so they don’t have time to listen to long-winded proposals.

Don’t be a brown-noser
boss and employee having a discussion

Image Credits: mediabistro.com

You want to be seen as someone willing to go the extra mile, but you don’t want to cross the line into sycophancy. Always sucking up to the boss is a surefire way to make enemies among your colleagues. So how can you get on your boss’ good side without being seen as a sickening bootlicker? Be genuine, be yourself.

Avoid being a know-it-all

You might be tempted to try and show your boss how much you’ve learned by acting like a know-it-all. But this is one of the quickest ways to get on their bad side.

Your boss is probably smart enough, and they don’t need you to lecture them on the finer points of the job. In fact, they will probably see through your act and think you’re just trying to show off.

Instead, try being humble and respectful. Admitting that you don’t know everything and asking for help when you need it will make you seem much more amicable than trying to act like a know-it-all.

Take on extra assignments

If there are tasks that nobody else wants to do, volunteer for them if you think it’s a good learning opportunity for you. This will show your boss that you’re seeking growth and willing to try new things.

And don’t just do it when there’s something big at stake. Offer to help out with smaller tasks too, like creating agendas for meetings or drafting weekly newsletters. The more helpful you are, the better your relationship with your boss will likely be.

There’s no need to grovel and lick your boss’ boots to get ahead. If you resort to such tactics, you will likely just end up alienating your colleagues and torpedoing your career prospects. Instead, try employing some of the tips in this article to get on your boss’ good side without being seen as a sickening bootlicker. With a bit of finesse and strategy, you can have a positive relationship with your boss without compromising the respect of your coworkers.

You Might Also Like