9 Ways to Get Back on Your Boss' Good Graces - MadameNoire

Some people can and do bring bad situations on themselves. You can’t slack off or not take your job seriously and expect to get ahead. Then again, there are certain situations where we find ourselves in a temporary slump. It can happen — though we need to deal with the ramifications that come along with our intended or unintended behavior. Here are some pointers on how to get back in your boss’ good graces.

Read between the lines

Before you trot off on a quest to get back on your boss’ good graces, try to read between the lines. Are you making a mountain out of a mole hill, or did you make a few flubs that deserve you going the extra mile? Look for signals your manager is giving you that will reveal how bad or not things really are. You can also be more direct and just ask to get to the bottom of things faster.

Tone down your activities

You can’t surf the net without hearing about President Obama on the golf course during a time of turmoil. While it more than likely was his outlet to de-stress, it might be a good idea to keep certain things behind closed doors — at least for the time being. If you need to relax and release, please do so after work hours, or in the privacy of your office.

Watch your emotions

You will do more harm than good if you catch an attitude knowing you at some point messed up. No one expects you to be a brown noser, though a little tact and professionalism can go a long way. Try your best to watch your attitude as you don’t want to make a bad situation worse.

Meet deadlines earlier than expected

If you really want to impress your boss, deliver your obligations before the due date. Do not work yourself into the ground as you need to be your best for other responsibilities. Should you however have the chance to work a little extra to exceed expectations, why not?

Lead a new project

One of the best ways to get front-and-center with management is by heading up a new projects. When’s the last time you led your team? Sure it’s going to be additional work and demands, but in the end, you’ll get more experience under your belt.

Take on more responsibilities

You can do the bare minimum to keep your job or you can add on a few more things to become a standout in your workplace. It’s okay to take on a few more responsibilities so long as you have the room to handle them.

Include them in client lunches

If you work in an industry where it’s important to finesse your relationship with your clients, it might not be a bad idea to include your boss from time to time. Schedule a business lunch if there happens to be a big deal on the table. Having your boss present will score you bonus points with your client and keep the person you report to abreast of what’s going on.

Be consistent

Regardless of what you do, make sure you are consistent. That’s what will make people believe you can deliver. It will be obvious if you do things for a period of time to later brush them off. Instead, make it a daily habit that will become a permanent practice.