Hallmarks of a mutually beneficial relationship
When you’ve built a strong partnership with your boss, it shows in the following ways:
•You regularly seek out information about your boss’s goals, problems, and pressures—knowing that his or her priorities and concerns can change.
•You stay alert for opportunities to clarify your boss’s performance expectations.
•You pay attention to clues in your boss’s behavior—signals suggesting how he or she prefers to receive information, when to deliver discouraging news about a project, or how often your boss needs to meet with you to stay informed.
•You accommodate your boss’s work style in ways that help him or her become even more effective. For example, if your boss likes to deeply explore issues before forming an opinion, you might send brief agendas several days before a meeting to help your boss prepare.
Now that you know the benefits of understanding your boss’ agenda, you’re ready to learn how to begin building a strong partnership with him or her. The next foundation addresses this subject.