Research shows that the more employees feel like their bosses trust them, the happier they are and the less likely they are to look for a new job. It is said that the most significant factor impacting your job satisfaction is your relationship with your direct manager. According to Charles Shyaka, General Manager 250 Startups Incubator Kigali, creating a good relationship with your immediate manager calls for doing your work to perfection. For instance, do what you have to do in time and do it to the best of your ability. Report to work on time. Arriving at work before the boss is a good impression, the same applies to leaving after your boss. Leaving early every day reveals a lack of enthusiasm to contend with extra assignments, he adds. Shyaka explains that one should meet deadlines ahead of time. If it is possible, write them down, so that you are in the know of what is due and when. Make it a point to agree with your client on a clearly distinct outcome. However, if you missed a deadline, take a few minutes to scrutinise what went wrong and how you can evade that in the future. “Deadlines are essential as they lessen procrastination and assist in productivity, refining focus and setting priorities; they help one come out of the comfort zone and conquer fear,” he says. He also notes that an employee ought to show their talent to their supervisors. This comes with identifying what you are good at first, then sharing in an appropriate way. For example, talk to your boss about your strengths so that you can make sure you are using them effectively, or come up with a plan on how you want to develop your talent at work, or contemplate where you can collaborate with others. Concentration on one’s strengths brings more achievement and it helps you progress as an individual and as a team. “Pay attention when your manager is communicating. Listen more than you talk so than you are able to grasp the message being conveyed. Don’t interrupt where it’s not necessary as good listeners are good communicators. Don’t be the person that is always distracted when your manager or boss is passing on a message as its nagging and a sign of unimportance,” says Yussouf Ntwali, Chief Operating Officer at BAG Innovation, an education technology that provides access to experience-based learning for university students. Ntwali also says don’t just report problems, provide solutions too. Problem-solving skills are essential to every workmate. Many businesses and interpersonal relationships fail due to poor problem-solving, this is because problems are not being recognised or are not dealt with appropriately. Ntwali highlights that in order to be effective at problem-solving, an employee requires some other key skills, such as; researching skills, creativity, team work, risk management, and decision-making. He also adds that employees should be clear to their managers about what they need, for example, communication requires you to be open about your needs rather than assuming your manager understands what’s going on. This will require you not to say “yes” on working on every project yet you are sure time won’t allow you to deliver at the expected time. Ntwali says, “Explain to your manager that you have other projects you are working on and you are willing to take on another if only you are added some time. Don’t assume that the manager understands your situation if you don’t communicate. “It is also imperative to know your boss’ priorities. Make sure you keep an eye on your boss’ priorities so as you work and deliver on the things that stress them first. Pay attention to the things that your manager demands, especially things they ask for at the last minute.”
