What You Can Do to Improve Your Boss's Relationship

The relationship between an employee and a boss is a significant one. Whether positive or negative, it can enormously impact the employee’s work life and the employer’s business. But the bond can be delicate, as many factors can contribute to its deterioration or improvement.

This article will examine the importance of the employee-boss relationship and how employees can take proactive steps to improve it.

A healthy employee-management relationship can significantly impact an individual’s career. It can lead to the following:

1. Opportunities for Growth and Development

If employees feel that their boss trusts and respects them, they are more likely to be engaged with their work and feel motivated to do their best. This can result in opportunities for growth and development, as employees are more willing to be given challenging tasks and assignments that help them improve their skills.

In the event that an employee moves on to another organization, a good relationship with their former boss can also be beneficial. A positive reference from a respected boss can go a long way in helping an individual get their foot in the door of a new company.

2. Positive Work Environment

A good employee and boss relationship can create a positive work environment. This atmosphere benefits the whole organization, leading to increased productivity and creativity.

It also helps reduce stress levels, as employees feel supported by their boss and are more confident in their abilities. This can result in less absenteeism and presenteeism and lower staff turnover rates.

3. Improved Communication

When the relationship between an employee and boss is strong, communication lines are usually open and effective. This allows for a two-way flow of information, which can help prevent misunderstandings and miscommunications.

Additionally, employees will feel more comfortable sharing their ideas and suggestions with their boss, leading to a better work environment overall.

4. Increased Job Satisfaction

Employees with good relations with management are more likely to feel satisfied with their job. This is because they feel supported in their work and valued for their contributions. They will be likelier to stay loyal to their employer and stick around in an organization where they feel happy and supported.

63% of employees say business culture affects organizational success. This includes doing their best work, productivity, and their ability to serve customers.

– Eagle Hill Consulting

Benefits of a Good Boss-Employee Relationship for Businesses

Maintaining strong boss-employee relationships doesn’t just benefit employees but businesses as well. Here are some advantages employers can enjoy if they try to improve these relations:

1. Increased Productivity

When employees feel good about their bosses, they are more likely to be motivated and productive at work. They will also be less likely to take days off if they feel invested in their job and want to contribute to the company’s success.

2. Improved Employee Retention Rates

As mentioned earlier, a good relationship between an employee and boss can increase job satisfaction. This, in turn, will result in lower staff turnover rates, as employees are less likely to leave an organization where they feel supported.

3. Greater Creativity and Innovation

When employees feel comfortable communicating with their boss, they are more likely to share new ideas. This can lead to a more creative and innovative work environment overall, with greater openness to trying out new things.

4. Reduced Costs

It costs money to constantly train new employees because of high staff turnover rates. By maintaining a solid bond between a boss and employees, businesses can save on these costs and invest more in other areas.

5. Business Growth

Productive employees and a positive work environment are two key ingredients for business growth. If employers create strong bonds with employees, they will simultaneously improve their company’s profitability due to the benefits mentioned above.

Challenges That Impede a Good Boss-Employee Relationship

While it’s easy to identify an excellent boss-employee relationship, it can be difficult to achieve or maintain one. Companies worldwide face many of the following challenges that can hinder the development of strong, positive bonds between employers and employees:

• Lack of support or growth: Employees who feel like they’re not being supported or given opportunities to grow within their role are more likely to become disengaged at work. This can lead to dissatisfaction with their boss and the company and quickly spiral into a negative relationship.
• Different work styles: Every individual has their own way of working, which can often clash with the methods used by others. For instance, some people prefer to work independently, while others may prefer more collaboration. This can lead to frustration on both sides if expectations are not managed correctly.
• Lack of communication: Good communication is vital for any relationship, but it’s vital in the workplace. If bosses and employees don’t communicate effectively, it can quickly lead to misunderstanding and resentment.
• Personal differences: It’s only natural that people will have different personalities, values, and beliefs. But when these clash, building a good working relationship can be tricky. For example, an extroverted boss may find it hard to understand an introverted employee’s need for alone time, leading to frustration on both sides.
• Lack of flexibility: In today’s post-pandemic era where employees value work-life balance more than ever, a lack of flexibility from bosses can be a significant source of tension. An employer must now be flexible with working hours or location; otherwise, employees will not feel valued, respected, or appreciated.

Managers who were rated highest on balancing relationships with results saw 62% of their employees willing to give extra effort and only 3% quiet quitting

– Harvard Business Review

Ways to Foster a Good Relationship With Your Boss

There are several things employees can do to try and improve their relationship with their boss. Some of these things are common sense, while others may require more effort. But all are worth considering if the goal is to have a healthier, more productive working relationship.

1. Respect your boss’s time

This is pretty simple – don’t waste your boss’s time. If you need to schedule a meeting, be prepared and on time. If you’re presenting something, make sure it is well-organized and concise. And if you’re just stopping by for a quick chat, don’t stay too long or veer off into unrelated topics.

2. Communicate effectively

 This goes both ways – employees should make an effort to communicate their thoughts and ideas clearly to their boss, and bosses should do the same when conveying expectations or feedback. Open communication is key to maintaining a good relationship.

3. Be a team player

No one likes a lone wolf, so make an effort to be a team player. This doesn’t mean you have to be best friends with everyone, but it does mean working collaboratively towards common goals.

4. Be positive

A positive attitude can go a long way in the workplace. It’s not always easy, but try to keep things in perspective and remain upbeat, even during tough times. This will make you more pleasant to work with and can also be contagious.

5. Take initiative

Don’t wait for things to happen – take the initiative and be proactive. If you see a problem, come up with a solution. If there’s an opportunity, seize it. Your boss will appreciate your go-getter attitude, which can only lead to good things.

These are just a few things employees can do to try and improve their relationship with their boss. While it is ultimately up to the boss to create a positive work environment, employees can improve the relationship.