Posted by Being on your boss’ good side can have a very positive impact on your career and in making your overall work experience enjoyable and interesting. But to earn the respect and recognition you want from “The Man”, you need to possess good work habits, which come from having a good work ethic. Here are six effective work habits that will not only make your boss love you, but also help you become a more disciplined and efficient employee.
1) Getting to work 15 minutes before the start time
Being punctual is certainly important in a work setting, but making the effort to come in a little earlier will reflect even more positively on you. In most cases, the boss will be the first one in the office but if you make it a point to come in earlier too, you’re more likely to build an amicable rapport with him/her. You’ll also look like you enjoy your job, plus, getting to the office just 15 minutes before you’re supposed to, allows you to start your day without feeling rushed, and gives you extra time for planning out the day’s events.
2) Having a clean and organized workspace
Your environment greatly influences your productivity. If your desk is full of papers and junk there’s no doubt that you will misplace documents, which will take three times as long to find when you need them. (If you’re lucky enough to find them.) When your boss comes around asking you for a report, you don’t want to find yourself shuffling through papers, napkins and old food wrappers. Be as prepared for an emergency response as medical alert systems are for people with a medical condition, and give yourself some time at the beginning and end of your week to organize your desk, clearing it of any unnecessary papers except those relating to the work at hand. The quicker you can access what you and the boss need, the more reliable he/she will consider you.
3) Having efficient work patterns
Having a calendar or agenda to refer to, which includes all the tasks you need to get done (weekly, monthly) in order of importance (Major, Medium, Low) will help maximize your productivity and is sure to get your name on the boss’ A list. Having good organizational skills helps you keep track of what’s going on and minimizes the risk of falling behind on your work. Bosses love efficiency and employees that are able to effectively manage their time and make the most out of the hours they spend at the office.
4) Meeting your deadlines
When time comes for performance evaluations, you want to make sure all your deadlines have been met. Bosses don’t want to be chasing after their employees. They want results executed in the most efficient manner. Organization is the key to success, so the better organized you are the more capable you are of meeting your deadlines.
5) Staying current
Most bosses (aside those with major ego issues) will appreciate an employee who is up-to-date with the latest news and trends, especially pertaining to your particular industry. Do a little research and sign up for e-mail alerts, newsletters and RSS feeds pertinent to your industry. When you learn new things that you believe could be of interest to the company, mention it to your boss. Bosses appreciate when you take initiative and show a genuine interest in your work.
6) Being positive and approachable
Having a positive energy and outlook at work makes the overall environment much more pleasant for you and everyone around you. Studies continuously show that the happier employees are, the more productive they are as well. If you are someone your boss and your co-workers feel comfortable approaching you are sure to have a positive influence on how everyone works as a team. Being approachable also means being open to new projects and tasks. The more versatility you show, the more valued you will be as an employee.
