The Short Guide to Managing Your Boss

To say you should “manage your boss” feels backward.

Isn’t that like cooking for your chef, or doing your CPA’s taxes?

But the manager-employee relationship is interesting in that it really is a two-way street, and more so than ever. Your boss has the positional authority, but there’s plenty of managing you can do. Doing it well will help you get ahead and make everyone’s lives easier.

Here’s how to do it right.

1. Know what makes your manager weird

Everyone has personality traits where they’re in the 90th percentile, areas where they’re very different from most people. Maybe they’re extremely detail-oriented or unusually direct. Maybe they process decisions slowly or need to think out loud.

To “manage up,” you will need to understand these things about your boss. Learn their DISC type and what it means for how you interact. Know their CliftonStrengths themes. Figure out what impresses them and what drives them crazy. Know how they like to be communicated to.

If you and your boss both want…