“Your work speaks volumes, but your relationships amplify your success.”

Recently I spoke with someone who believed they were knocking it out of the park in their role, consistently surpassing every key performance indicator. Yet despite these achievements they were disappointed by a poor mid-year review. As we explored the situation, it became clear that the issue wasn’t with their work but with their relationship with their leader. Frequent disagreements led to a disconnect between how they saw their contributions and how their boss assessed them.

This experience highlights a vital lesson: performing well is essential, but it’s only part of the equation. To be recognized and rewarded, you need to build strong relationships, particularly with your leader. Understanding their challenges, earning their trust, and aligning your efforts with what they value are key.

Answer these questions to find out if you’re in good standing with your boss or if your relationship needs some damage control:

1. Does your leader constantly monitor your work? Do they seem indifferent towards you?
2. Are you often excluded from important meetings? Are you the last to know about significant company developments?
3. How well do you know your leader? Are you aware of their career aspirations? Do you know what keeps them up at night?
4. On a more personal level, do your conversations go beyond the standard boss/employee talk? Does your leader share personal details with you? Do they take an interest in your life outside of work?
5. Even after working with your leader for a long time, do they confide in you? Do they share their frustrations or concerns about the business?

These questions are designed to help you gauge the current state of your relationship with your leader. Even if your answers indicate room for improvement, it doesn’t necessarily mean you and your leader aren’t working well together. Instead, see it as an opportunity to strengthen your connection, build trust, and elevate your professional relationship from good to great.

If your leader doesn’t know you beyond your professional role, it’s hard for them to fully trust or support you. Similarly, consider how much you’ve invested in understanding your leader’s values and aspirations. Do you know what truly matters to them?

Refocus Your Lens

Treat Your Boss Like Your Number One Customer

• Use your authenticity and sincerity to seek their thoughts on how you can serve them.
• Understand what keeps them up at night so that you can carve out your value proposition in their eyes.
• Make it your goal to learn what their priorities are and make them yours. Learn what success looks like to them. Being on the same page will cement your relationship and create a harmonious and trusting bond.

Become An Information Broker

• Encourage your boss to depend on you by providing access to information, tools, and your network.
• Help them capitalize on opportunities they may not be aware of and address challenges that might be brewing.
• Lighten their load by volunteering to attend meetings on their behalf and gathering important information.

Walk in Their Shoes

• Leverage your emotional intelligence to observe your leader’s moods and understand the triggers and pressures that influence their behavior.
• Mirror your leader’s enthusiasm to show support and build a stronger bond. Aligning with their excitement will energize both of you, making that enthusiasm contagious.
• Respect their time by framing problems as opportunities and approaching them with solutions, not just complaints.

Honor Your Commitments

• Build trust and dependability by exceeding expectations and deadlines. Demonstrate your organizational skills by being overly prepared and proactive.
• Stand out by volunteering for roles that showcase your commitment to your boss. Take on the tasks that others avoid.
• Consistently show public support for your leader and encourage your team to do the same. This collective endorsement strengthens your leader’s position and builds a unified front.

As a final thought, remember that while your work may speak for itself, it’s the relationship you cultivate with your leader that will amplify your credentials and get you sponsored for future career opportunities. As Will Rogers once said: “Get others to toot your horn and the sound will travel twice as far.”