Build a Better Relationship With Your Boss: Part Three

And watch your stock in the company increase as well.

So we've determined Fred and Mr. Slate are not so different after all right?  They both put their pants on the same way (though I am not sure either of them actually wore pants in Bedrock but humor me will ya?)  and have at least one common point between them: they both work for the Slate Rock and Gravel Company.

I bet you have the same exact two commonalities with your boss don't you?

So now that we've established that both you and Fred have that working for you it's time to roll up the sleeves, put down the Brontasuarus burger and start the single most important part of the relationship building process: building rapport.

Here's the thing, no matter how important or incredibly busy a boss may be there is one single thing you can do to get them to stop for a few minutes and turn their attention on you.  You can't wait to hear this can you?  I can see it in your eyes.  The breathless anticipation!  Oh alright...so with no further adieu, the single biggest thing you can do to get the attention of your boss is to ask them about their favorite subject!  Them!!!

It's true!  In fact asking them to tell you about themselves is like providing a Kryptonite sandwich to Super Man.  They are simply powerless and become drunk on the sudden attention and opportunity before them to share a story about themselves with an eager listener.

Rapport building with your boss (and here's a hint: with anyone!) begins and ends with your ability to get one talking about themselves.  The ginormous gems you will learn from them as they tell you their story also has an incredibly useful sub-conscious payoff.  You see as your boss is sharing with a willing and engaged person (in this case you!) their sub-conscious is rewriting the story they may have had about you.  Now instead of being that gal that asks all the annoying questions, your boss' brain will be telling her a completely different story every time she sees or engages you.  Suddenly in the lower depths of their mental universe you become the person that has such an inquisitive mind, always asking those great questions especially about her!  Remember their favorite subject! Like I said Kryptonite baby!

So I know what you're thinking....how in the world do I ever place myself in a position with the boss to even ask them about themselves much less what should I be asking?  So glad you were thinking that because that just so happens to be what I want to talk about next: opportunity and question strategy.
But the whistle is blowing and my shift is just beginning so that will have to wait until next time.

In the mean time answer this for yourself.  What do you really know about your boss?  Take out a piece of paper and write down everything you already know about them.  This will provide the framework for how we position our questions to learn, as Paul Harvey used to say, "The rest of the story!"

Ripple On!!!

Part One: http://swotvision.blogspot.com/2010/08/build-better-relationship-with-your.html

Part Two: http://swotvision.blogspot.com/2010/08/build-better-relationship-with-your_11.html