Thank you for having the site that you have. It is a great resource for me and others to use. I currently have a newsletter that I am a president of, and I would like to use some of your topics to inform others on situations occurring in interior design. I will do my best to get more students visiting your website. - Laura Syth, Western Michigan University
contributed by Jenny S. Rebholz [writer / marketing consultant / designer / instructor / mentor / networking machine]
Everybody has to answer to somebody, and as you leave school to enter the work world, you will be introduced to your new boss. This is the person who can make your day when they say “you’re hired” or ruin your life with the phrase, “you’re fired.” So how do you learn to work well with your superiors? Here are some tips for staying on your boss’s good side.
Attitude
A positive attitude will go a long way with your boss. The first years on the job can be tough. You have a lot to learn and you may feel like all eyes are on you. Your boss wants to see you put in an A+ effort every day. A sure way to start off on the right foot with your boss is to try hard and work hard. Show your manager you are ready, willing, and able, and that you will give everything your best.
Some entry level designers may get a bit ahead of themselves — don’t act like you know it all, because the reality is that you do not. Your boss does not want a new design professional with an “I’m too good for the library” attitude. You are not the intern anymore, but the library may still be on your to-do list. Don’t be a whiner or a complainer.
Take on every assignment as a challenge, an opportunity to learn something new. Your boss will see you as a team player, and that is what you want to be.
Communication
Even though talking to the boss may seem intimidating, the key to developing a strong working relationship is good communication. You want to know what your boss expects of you and, likewise, it is always good for your manager to know what you need from them.
Understanding your boss’s personality will be part of the challenge to figure out the best way to communicate with them. What is their management style and how do they like messages delivered? Scheduled meetings, via open door, email, voicemail, etc. Figure out the best way to approach them. Even though you may feel less intimidated communicating via email, they may not like that method. Talk to them and figure out the best way to exchange information and to ask questions.
“Boss-analities”
Part of learning your boss’s communication style is understanding different management styles and personalities. While some bosses will give you all the freedom in the world, others will watch your every move. Based on your personality, you will find pros and cons to your manager’s style, but whether you like it or not, you have to figure out how to adapt to it.
“I will give you a lot of rope, just not enough to hang yourself with.” I was fortunate to have this type of boss throughout most of my design career. I was a go-getter from day one and my bosses knew that. They let me take on challenges and reined me in only when they thought I was getting in over my head. Furthermore, based on my communication style, they knew I would bring problems to their attention right away. This was a level of trust I developed with them, so we were able to work together and solve problems before they got too big or too costly.
The micromanager wants to know your every move and doesn’t let you do too much without their constant approval. For some this is comforting because they feel like they can’t possibly make a mistake, but the designer may develop a habit of not being able to move forward without input or constant approval. For the go-getters, this can be stifling. The best way to work with the micromanager is to keep them informed, yet continuously work to prove yourself. Demonstrate your ability to handle situations without being under their constant watch. This may take time, but once again, communication is key.
For those of you given all the freedom you desire, it is important to remember not to get too big for your britches. You will still need help, and the macromanager has given you trust from the get-go, so you need to prove yourself by bringing important matters to their attention right away.
In our creative field, some bosses may be creative geniuses who ask you to figure out crazy ideas. You may think the idea will never work, but that is why they are your genius boss, so challenge yourself with their ideas and enjoy the creative ride.
Part of the challenge of any job is understanding your boss, as well as the other personalities in the office, and figuring out the best way to work with all of them.
What Do They Really Do?
Your boss may be older than you or younger than you, but regardless, they worked hard to reach their position and deserve your respect. Many mangers don’t do a ton of design work anymore, but make no mistake — their work plate is full. You most likely will have no idea what they do on a daily basis. You need to know that they are looking out for the department’s best interest, and when something goes wrong on your project, it is not only your mistake, it is considered their mistake. In fact, they take the brunt of a lot of the reprimands, so if they are tough on you, it could be because their boss is being tough on them. Your job is to design and make the client happy. They need to make sure the company makes money while you do that job.
Oops, I Made A Mistake
In your daily life as a designer, your worst fears may be realized… you will make a mistake. You may make a small mistake one day, or there could be the day when you make the grandfather of all mistakes. Your boss does not want to be surprised by these mistakes, so make sure you bring the issue to their attention right away. Just like your mom, your boss has eyes in the back of his or her head, and news travels to them faster than you would like sometimes. Honesty is the best policy, so be up front about the issue at hand.
However, don’t come to your boss with the problem without being able to brainstorm and suggest possible solutions. Your boss wants to know that you are a proactive employee and can problem-solve. You may even solve the small problem before it comes to your boss’s attention, but your honesty will show your level of integrity as well as your ability to handle the situation.
Mistakes can be frightening, but don’t become Chicken Little and make your boss think the sky is always falling. Try to remain calm, and think the situation through. Just as you don’t want to scream “fire” at every problem, don’t sweep things under the rug. Small problems that are allowed to fester can become gigantic issues before you know it.
Admit your mistakes, and be a part of the solution. Are you a mistake-maker or a problem-solver? Bosses prefer the problem-solvers.
Best Boss-Pleasing Work Habits
The following are good habits for any designer, but many mangers complain that entry level people fail to do the following:
Be On Time: If work starts at eight, then be there a little early. Don’t make a habit of punching the clock in and out on the dot, and don’t feel you have the right to roll in any time you please. Punctuality will speak volumes to your boss. If you are dedicated and looking to impress, then don’t be late.
Dress To Impress: It has been said over and over again that what you wear is important. The worst topic a manger has to address is how you dress, so don’t make them have to have that uncomfortable conversation with you.
Take Notes: Just like in school, if you don’t write down the important information, you may forget something. Wherever you go, carry a pen and a pad of paper. Whether you are with a client, a colleague, or your boss, be prepared to take some notes. You know how you sometimes question whether a waitperson will remember your order correctly if they don’t write it down… Well, your boss is going to wonder how you are possibly going to get things right if you don’t take a few notes.
Lend A Helping Hand: When the clock hits five, are you out the door? When you leave, is everyone else sticking around to get a little more work done? Even if you have everything under control, take the time to ask if anyone needs help. Don’t be the sneaky one always dashing for the door. Take the initiative to lend a helping hand.
More Work Please: You finished all of you assignments, so why not sit back and take a load off? Your boss wants to see your drive, your initiative, your willingness to take on more. When you are finished, go back for seconds.
Wrapping Up
Everybody has to answer to somebody, and the better your relationship with your boss, the more pleasant your work experience. Remember that a good attitude, honest and open communication, and good work habits will go a long way with even the most difficult “boss-anality.”
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The Council for Interior Design Accreditation [CIDA] has announced a new award that celebrates innovative teaching and program-related practices that advance the cause of excellence in interior design education. The Innovative Interior Design Education Award competition is open to faculty members and collaborating teams at CIDA-accredited interior design programs. Awards of up to $3,000 are available to winning entries. The CIDA board of directors believes that this award is an important step toward further recognizing methods that lead the way in educational innovation. Submissions are due in the CIDA office no later than September 15, 2010. Award winners will be notified in January 2011. Go here to open up a PDF to find out more information about this competition.
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This is the person who can make your day when they say “you’re hired” or ruin your life with the phrase, “you’re fired.” So how do you learn to work well with your superiors? Here are some tips for staying on your boss’s good side.
