Unless you are the CEO of a private company or are self-employed, chances are you’re being managed by somebody. And, if you’re like most workers, you think this is a one-way street.

However, it is possible to effectively manage your boss and, in doing so, improve your job satisfaction and performance. After all, the boss-subordinate relationship may be the single greatest influence on the quality of your work life.

• Respect her time.
  If you consistently require a lot of time from your boss, she may tend to view you more as a detriment than an asset. Avoid this perception by making sure your time is largely dedicated to supporting her—not the other way around. Prioritize your issues and only engage your boss for the truly important ones. Respect her busy schedule, book meetings in advance, make sure you have a full agenda and stick to it. If meetings are hard to schedule, use quick communications tools, such as IM and e-mail, to seek direction.
• Bring him solutions.
  There is nothing more refreshing for a boss than an employee who knows when a problem warrants his attention and in the same breath proposes several solutions. Putting thought into how to solve a problem before addressing it with your boss demonstrates that you look at things from his perspective—and that really enhances your value.  
• Help her say “Yes.”
  If your boss tends to say “no” to your ideas or suggestions, perhaps it’s a result of the way you propose them. When a supervisor is stretched thin, the easiest response is “no,” especially when she thinks it would add to her workload. You can change this pattern by always offering to help conduct the project or task and giving concrete ways you will get it done. If the original idea is denied because it is too large or complex, offer to start on a smaller scale. And try to tie your idea to a company objective or cultural value to show how it fits into the big picture.
• Don’t surprise him with bad news.
  Trust develops when behavior is consistent and predictable, and you can help ensure your boss views you as trustworthy by regularly delivering on promises you’ve made and not surprising him with bad news. If you feel you can’t make a deadline, discuss it promptly to reprioritize or set a realistic timeline. If problems are developing or objectives are likely to be missed, raise the alert well in advance. Few things are more frustrating to supervisors then being caught off guard by an issue they haven’t been warned about.

These tips for managing your boss can yield tremendous results—for both of you—in the form of better decision-making, enhanced performance and greater enjoyment in the workplace.

Have any additional tips for managing your boss? Share them on our career blog.