After many years performing in these roles, I am often asked the questions, “what does the boss really look for?” “What can I do to be successful?”

From someone who was a boss/supervisor of two people, to a VP managing, coordinating, and leading 6,500 employees, I created a list of 10 wants, and 5 likes that will give you a comprehensive idea of what many “bosses’ looking for. This list comes from many years of experience and working for 24 different/unique bosses.

Ten wants:

1. Most bosses want workers to be reliable, so reliable that when given a task or assignment, the boss knows the job will get done. No follow up will be required, unless requested by the worker. Bosses have their job, you yours.

2. Trust is extremely important. When a worker is reliable, the boss begins to have more and more trust in the worker, and his/her performance. Trust allows the boss to get other work done, and not have to ‘check’ on the worker. Little or no follow up is required.

3. Most bosses want honesty. They want workers to be open and honest, and to tell them what is good or bad. Generally, the boss doesn’t have time to question whether something is the truth, or not.

4. The display of a solid work ethic by the worker comes out very quickly. At the outset, the boss expects the worker to work hard, especially as he/she learning the job. With experience, the worker will better use time, effort, tools, and work smarter. There is no better compliment than having someone say, “wow she is a hard worker”, and, “she is a smart worker”. What a combination!

5. The boss wants the worker to be flexible. There will be times when the worker will get a new assignment, new work schedules, or a new work environment. These kinds of changes (whether temporary or permanent) should be met with…”I can do that”. (Most successful people (in their careers) required change and flexibility.)

6.  Being a team player is a must. Whether the worker is a member of a team, or the leader, he/she will learn that the best decisions and solutions are created by utilizing the collective intelligence and experience of teams.

7. Having all followers and no leaders (or potential leaders) creates a tremendous burden for the boss. The boss wants to develop the new leaders…those workers who show growth potential, and, initiative. The boss will look for individuals that have this potential, and, a willingness to learn  .

8. The boss doesn’t have to be loved by all, since the boss is just like any other worker…unique. The boss has some good traits, some not so good. However, with the plusses (and minuses) the boss looks for loyalty. The boss expects loyalty to the organizations’ goals, to the organizations team members, and to the leader.

9. The boss and the organization place a strong emphasis on attitude. The boss sees a positive attitude as a key ingredient of a successful work environment. It doesn’t take long to see the effects of individuals with negative/bad attitudes.

10.Last, what the boss wants is someone, or a team that “gets stuff done”. The boss is held responsible to meeting specific job requirements, and the role of the boss/leader is to get work done, through others. Those that meet or exceed the bosses work requirements will be recognized and rewarded.

A key point to remember as to what the boss wants is that the boss has a job to get done. That job cannot be done by him-self alone (or you wouldn’t be needed). Therefore getting your ‘stuff’ done extremely well helps the boss do his job. The boss is your primary customer and taking care of this customer is extremely important!

At another level, what do bosses like that is in excess of want. This is like the ‘gold standard”!

Five likes:

1. Since the boss doesn’t have time to get into all the details, the boss likes workers who do. The worker who gets into the ‘facts and data’ relieves the boss from doing that work, and instills a high level of confidence. “Winging it” makes the boss and co-workers uncomfortable, nervous, and, cautious.

2. There are times when there will be high levels of stress or anxiety in the workplace. The boss needs workers who help reduce stressful, uncomfortable situations. Creating a positive work environment will improve productivity, and results.

3. When a worker volunteers to take on more, or be a lead on a project, the boss sees this as both individual initiative as well as extra support to meet the bosses goals and objectives.

4. When a worker anticipates what the boss needs, or just sees work that needs to be done, and just does it, this shows leadership and planning. Trying to be one step ahead of the boss’s needs or expectations can become an art and unique ability.

5. Last, I once had a person on my staff who said, “my job is to make you look good”. I smiled and said, “How about me not look bad”? Bosses/supervisors/leaders will make mistakes especially if they are advocating improvement work or change. The worker who helps the boss do the right things, will be valued and appreciated. Any ‘ooops’ that can be averted, helps everyone.

The boss is only as good as the people he supervises, manages, directs, or leads.

Some bosses are demanding, unreasonable, and difficult to please. Others are great leaders, coaches, fair, and very reasonable.

Most are a mix.

Understanding and practicing these 15 Points greatly enhances your meeting or exceeding the boss’s (customer) expectations.

Russ