Communication between leader and employee is not always easy. Especially if the topic of conversation is the so-called “basic”: attitudes, soft skills, personal and character attitudes that a leader requires to consider a resource a real added value.
If you’ve just started a new job and want to establish yourself as an excellent professional , or want to reposition yourself in your current role to gain more credibility, here are some tips for you.
Here are the 5 things your boss would like you to do , but that he thinks are implied and, therefore, he will never ask you.
1. Said, done
Leaders don’t like surprises and want to be able to blindly trust their resources. Consequently, to earn trust and show yourself up to the assigned tasks, remember to always keep what you promise.
If you say you can get a job done and deliver it on time, at the cost of accumulating overtime, keep your word. Always be punctual and precise, setting expectations: no doubts (“I’ll try”), but certain commitments and deadlines. A reliable resource is a valuable lever for your manager.
2. Show yourself versatile and curious
Leaders seek resources that are open, dynamic and with healthy ambition. The desire to grow and improve, day after day, is a symptom of intelligence and proactivity and is an important evaluation element for a manager.
A resource that successfully explores external perimeters to their comfort zone, also interested in other activities beyond the job description, can convince the leader that they deserve an advancement of career.
Why doesn’t he ask you directly? Because he does not want to distract you from your current role or does not want to deceive you about a promotion that, perhaps, will not occur immediately.
In silence and in the meantime, works to show him that you are up to a new challenge.
3. It brings a problem, along with a hint of a solution
We’ve often talked about it (here’s an article that talks about it in depth!): leaders don’t like to play the role of on-call problem solvers. And if a poorly empathetic manager could reject the sender’s request for help from a resource (creating not a little damage to his self-esteem), a good leader could listen carefully to the problem presented by the employee, but expect at least a proactive attitude. When you decide to walk through the door of the boss, reporting an issue, remember at the end of the explanation to show that you have reasoned to find a solution, giving some concrete ideas, but that you still need his opinion of him.
4. Show seriousness and competence
Competence and preparation are two essential skills, required by every leader. In fact, there is nothing worse than an approximate and superficial employee, who shows carelessness in the performance of their duties and general negligence.
Without waiting for explicit requests from the boss, always be attentive and on the piece: in a meeting, for example, remember to always carry notes and details of the topic that will be discussed (and of the related topics) in order to provide precise answers to each question.
5. Be alert
In the office, anything can happen: a sudden influence from the boss is enough, and you may be called upon to present your life.
Every manager, in case of the unexpected, would like to be able to count on a staff that is responsible, autonomous and able to take its place.
In emergency situations, when the leader cannot take care of activity himself or when he does not have the answer ready to solve an issue, offer to come in to support them.
You go to the meeting with the board, if he is stuck in a presentation with foreign investors, or take the floor if you see him in trouble when faced with a thorny question from the CEO.
By demonstrating reliability and foresight, you will learn a lot about how to play the role of the leader, training to really do it.