Jim Citrin Leadership by Example

To underscore the quality of its kosher hotdogs, Hebrew National famously advertises that it "answers to a higher authority."

Similarly, if you want to build a reputation for quality and be successful in your career, one of the keys is to establish a productive working relationship with your own higher authority -- your boss.

Whether improving performance in your current job, moving into a role of expanded responsibility, or taking on a new position altogether, how you establish and sustain your relationship with your boss is a crucial element in your short- and long-term success.

Beware of Backbiting

The best place to start is to understand your boss's motivations. Most managers will say that their driving goals are to grow revenues, control costs, develop a winning strategy, make sound investments, and manage people effectively.

While these ambitions are usually genuine, they generally represent only a portion of what bosses really think about. Experience suggests that managers have additional underlying motivations that, while less idealistic, turn out to be no less important.

Of course, your boss wants you to fulfill your responsibilities well and meet your objectives. But that's not all. According to David D'Alessandro, former CEO of insurance giant John Hancock Financial Services and author of the best-selling book Career Warfare: 10 Rules for Building a Successful Personal Brand and Fighting to Keep It, "What bosses want more than anything else is loyalty, good advice and to have ‘their personal brands polished.'"

There is nothing a manager disdains more than the subordinate who goes behind his back. Never make yourself look good at the boss's expense. Since the rules of the game in organizational life are governed by hierarchy, if you circumvent your boss you'll be seen as breaking the chain of command or, worse, betraying him or her.

This reflects badly on you even if you're in the right on a particular issue about which you disagree. And not only will it ignite the wrath of your boss, it likely won't curry favor with other members of the management team, either. They're likely to be concerned that you could do the same thing to them.

Striking the Right Balance

Bosses also want good advice, not yes-men or -women who offer insincere flattery or downers who can only play the devil's advocate.

All intelligent bosses instinctively separate the people they manage into three distinct categories: the sycophants, the contrarians, and the small percentage of their employees who are the balanced players. You definitely want to be seen as a member of the third group.

You might be surprised at how influential you can be by becoming known as a source of good ideas, thoughtful perspectives, and creative solutions. Even if you're many levels removed from the top of the organization, CEOs and other top executives will often gravitate to the thought-leaders across the organization who are known to have sound, balanced judgment.

The Benefits of Letting Go

Most important, since your boss cares as much about his or her career as you do about yours, what managers really want is for you to make them look smart and successful. "Understand that it's your job to polish the boss's reputation," D'Alessandro states unequivocally.

One of the best ways you can do this is to compensate for his or her weaknesses. If your boss is a creative visionary who can't run a meeting, stick to a schedule, or produce consistent performance information, take it upon yourself to help bring managerial discipline and operational excellence to the group.

On the other hand, if your boss is more process over substance, then the employee who is able to generate creative new ideas is likely to be the one who is most valuable.

To make this tactic work most effectively, you may need to "let go," allowing your boss to get the credit for what you do and claiming some of your work as his or her own. This might entail swallowing your pride of authorship and putting up with your boss acting as if he or she actually is a creative person, even if that's the case only when you've supplied the ideas.

What you'll get in return is your boss' support and loyalty, the freedom from being micromanaged, and the first shot at prestigious and important new assignments. Ultimately, these are the very things that will enable you to continue developing.

Build Momentum -- and Success

To put this "be successful by making your boss successful" strategy into effect, it's essential to sit down with your boss and talk about how he or she likes to work. How are objectives and priorities established? How (and how often) should you provide updates? Are formal written updates required, or are more fluid progress reports sufficient? Is email or voicemail preferable? What special rules apply for communicating with people outside of the department or the company?

In addition, talk to other people in the company who have experience working with your boss. What do they observe about what works well and what works poorly? How is your boss perceived outside the department? What kinds of results and initiatives would enhance your boss's reputation inside the company?

Develop your own point of view on how to make your boss successful. Come to an agreement on how he or she likes to work and what is expected of you. Then revisit these assumptions periodically and see what needs to be changed or can be improved.

Remember, there's no single person who has more direct influence on your short- or medium-term career success than your boss. Figure out how to support his or her success, and then tailor your efforts accordingly. Doing so will create and sustain your career momentum.