Having the support of your boss is important to your job and your career, so it’s worth it to try and improve or develop a relationship with your supervisor. Keep reading for some simple strategies to improve your relationship with your boss!
Go the extra mile. The next time you’re on the job performing your job tasks, why not go the extra mile? Remember that your job description outlines the basic tasks and duties required to maintain employment. Occasionally going above and beyond the call of duty can really help others out and help you stand out in a positive way. Make it a habit, exceeding expectations is always a pleasant surprise.
Anticipate needs. One of the best things you can do to get along with your boss and co-workers better is to be on top things and anticipate needs. Don’t wait to be told what to do. Engage your brain and be proactive. Look for predictable patterns in the workplace and take action early.
Make improvements. No matter what type of job you have, you can make a difference. Think about ways you can improve the way you perform your job or how things are done. Put on your critical thinking cap and see if there are small improvements you can make that will have a big impact on your team or the organization as a whole. 
Stay positive. Relationships take time and work. Just a simple smile can help ease the tension.
Keep your voice friendly and pleasant. When someone speaks to you in an agitated tone of voice, doesn’t it make you respond in kind as well? Use this principle at work and talk to your boss in a friendly and pleasant tone. This makes you instantly more likeable.
Ask for feedback. Most companies have some sort of periodic performance review, but take it a step further and follow up on recommendations and ask for feedback on your progress. Being able to take constructive criticism and working on improving your job performance are huge. This shows you care about your job.
Bring solutions. Don’t put all the work on his shoulders. When you encounter a challenge, take ownership of the situation and brainstorm solutions on your own before engaging your boss.
Avoid excuses. If you know you can’t finish something, ask for help early on. Your boss and co-workers would much rather have you asking for help than hearing an excuse after a deadline has passed!
Get (a little) personal. The workplace doesn’t have to be 100 percent professional 100 percent of the time. A little appropriate personal interaction reminds everyone that we’re not just robots; we all have lives outside of work too. Just remember to commit important information to memory (like the name of his spouse and kids, for example) and keep the conversation light. Politics, religion, and sex remain off-limits.
Make him/her look good. Your job is to make your manager look good. Avoid falling into the trap of not wanting to perform a particular task because it does not fit your job description. If you are unhappy with the tasks you are performing, set up a meeting and discuss your concerns.
Protect his/her time. Your boss is probably a pretty busy person. Don’t waste his/her time and help prevent others from doing so as well. If you have a question, search for the answers on your own first. If you have the authority to make a decision, use your best judgment and make it. Don’t pass things off to your boss if you have the ability to handle them.
Don’t make him/her mediate. No boss likes to play mediator between his employees. If you’re having an issue with a co-worker, do your best to handle it on your own.
Do you have any tips on improving your relationship with your boss? What do you do on a regular basis to improve your relationship with your boss? How do you make him happy when things aren’t going quite right?
