Quick Tip – Make Their Life Easier

If you like raises, that is – Issue #118

I often talk about bad bosses. I guess that’s because people really need my help when they are dealing with one.

However, we’ve all had a few great bosses and good managers too. Working for a leader like that certainly makes your work life more pleasant.

Sometimes, we are so focused on our workload, stress, and worries that we forget that our boss is human too. We bring our problems to them every week, and the discussion centers around what we are doing and our needs.

But how often do you ask your boss how they are doing? Ok, how often do you ask, really want to hear the answer, and care?

If you do listen, care, and understand how they are feeling, that’s having empathy. However, having compassion means that you hear about their struggle, know how they are feeling, and then you do something about it.

You help.

I managed teams for several years. Of course, you want talented employees who do great work. You value the people who get things done, go above and beyond, and aren’t a pain to manage.

However, just as it’s something special to have a boss who truly cares about you and your wellbeing, it’s a rare thing to have an employee who cares and genuinely wants to make the boss’s life easier.

They stand out.

The funny thing is, it doesn’t take much. It isn’t hard to do.

All that it requires is that you take a step back and see your boss as a human being just like you. A person who can be overworked, tired, worried, stressed, and afraid, just like you can be at times.

When you have your next one-on-one meeting with your boss, ask how they are doing. Ask what they’re working on and what’s keeping them up at night.

Then, most importantly, offer to help. Ask if there’s anything that you can take on to help and make their life easier.

If you’re already doing this, great! However, if you haven’t asked this before, your boss may act surprised at first.

Some bosses will have an idea right away and will suggest something that you can do to help out. Others will require some time for it to sink in that one of their employees cares and is trying to ease their load. So, you may need to ask again in a later one-on-one meeting.

Bosses notice the employees who make their lives easier. They also don’t forget the employees who make their lives harder.

Note, I’m not suggesting that you should take on an endless workload and make your life miserable. But, asking your manager how you can help from time to time will make you memorable and put a smile on their face.

As a leader, you want to retain your talented and compassionate people who make everyone’s lives better. Who doesn’t want to work with kind and talented people? We all do.

Those are the employees that come to mind first when it’s time for raises and promotions. Be the person who makes your boss’s life easier, and they will want to keep you around for as long as possible.

Do you have any questions?

Please leave a comment online if you have a career-related question that you’d like me to answer or a topic that you’d like me to cover in an upcoming newsletter.

I’d love to hear from you!