10 Habits that Bosses Love

Yahoo lists 10 habits that bosses love as follows:

1. Communicate, communicate, communicate.
2. Acknowledge what the boss says.
3. Collaborate.
4. Build relationships.
5. Understand how you fit in.
6. Learn the boss's pet peeves.
7. Anticipate the boss's needs.
8. Think one level up.
9. Open yourself to new ways of doing things.
10. Be engaged in your work.

I'd say this is a good list (what boss wouldn't want these qualities in a worker?), but I think it can be summarized into a list of two things all bosses want as follows:

• Strong accomplishments -- The ability to over-deliver versus what's expected of someone holding your job. Some examples: If it's expected that you'll make five widgets an hour, you make seven. If it's expected that you'll deliver good customer service (as measured in some fashion) 97% of the time, you do it 99% of the time. If it's expected that you'll bill 40 hours a week, you bill 45 at a higher rate than expected.

• Good attitude -- Bosses like people that get along, go along, and see the positive sides of an issue even in difficult circumstances. If you have a good, positive attitude about the company, your job, the people you work with, and so on, this goes a long way toward making your boss happy.

In summary: If you can deliver results (accomplishments) and have a great attitude as well, you're almost guaranteed to do well and make a good salary.

For more thoughts on this issue, see these posts:

• Six Steps that Will Get You a Raise

• Top 10 Reasons Why You're Not Finding a Job

Comments

[ToughMoneyLove]

I'm a boss. I would add this to the list because it's what I tell my people all of the time: "Make the boss look good." That covers a lot of territory.

["Mo" Money]

Be the go to person in the department. Always be willing to go the extra mile whether it is your job or not. Bosses love that quality!

[a]

I'm all for efficiency in the work force. If you can do 10% more work than other people in the same time, go for it. Its good for you and your boss. I do draw the line at workaholicism. I'm hesitant to do 10% more work if it means spending 10% more time at work.

The positive attitude is right on. Not matter how bad the situation, bosses love a positive attitude.At least 75% of the people I have worked for seem to count good attitude as more important than anything else. One important lesson I learned is that often when things go bad, its be better to just start looking for a new job than to do or say anything that resembles having a 'negative attitude'.

[JR]

"Make the boss look good." <--- Now that there is funny! And the 10% extra work in some cases only gets a person even more work, that isn't the way it should be but it is.

[Cheska]

These tips are right on but your two summaries say it best. A positive attitude is a must in any situation, and strong accomplishments increase your value in the workplace. Overdelivering may be too much though, especially if you are in a job and not in a career.

[a]

I agree on being careful overdelivering. This is a terrible strategy if you are in a job where being efficient only gets you more work and no real chance at a raise, a promotion, or in many cases even a 'thank you'.