Submitted by jursla t3_zzd4f3 in LifeProTips
This is not just about flattery. Often doing your job well will do the same.
Comments
TheProfessionalMask t1_j2avezx wrote
Sometimes you also need to look better than your boss to their boss cause you want to take your boss's position.
h0zR t1_j2avmfu wrote
Except when your boss continually steals your successes as their own to keep you from promoting...
onemorecoffeeplease t1_j2aw47k wrote
As a leader, I learned and lived by two rules; 1) my job is to make my team members and my leader look good, and 2) develop my team members (and anyone else willing/wanting to develop) to give them something worthy to talk about in their next interview for a new role internally or externally. What I get in return is these people also have my back; it is reciprocal.
TheGreatTiger t1_j2awkwi wrote
Being the best worker in your department is often a detriment to upward mobility. Boss will often block your promotion because if your boss loses you, the team productivity drops too much. You'll get passed over in favor of a lower producing coworker.
UserLevelOver9000 t1_j2axd6m wrote
Unless they're an arrogant, sexist pig who thinks the place of employment is their own personal safe space to make lewd comments about women's breasts... Then no, make them look like a f**king idiot in front of their boss...
pmmaddog t1_j2axvrd wrote
This is gold. ☝️
[deleted] t1_j2axwbd wrote
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drAsparagus t1_j2b08di wrote
I agree with this in general. There are pros and cons to being a high performer and "wearer of many hats" (even better moreso if any of those hats are an essential part of operations). One pro is that you are less expendable and seen as more of a value to an organization. A con is the likelihood of getting pigeonholed into something you can't grow out of, or the company has no one else qualified to do.
Just as much as you should dress for the job you want, also don't dress for the job you don't want...meaning don't be so good at something you don't love or want to do, but are also coincidentally proficient at. That's an easy way to get stuck in a position and hit that career plateau that is ever so soul-sucking.
But on the other hand, the "jack of all" is also usually of the last lot to go on the chopping block and is seen more as an asset to overall operations-continuity.
I've weathered a few mass downsizings in my career beginning with the dot com crash and they are never fun. So I guess my advice to add is also be available and assertive to try out different roles and responsibilities, starting with what makes your boss happy and look good. I've gone from a one of several technical writers to having 3 different business cards for the same company to represent the various roles I performed. It wasn't what I signed up for, but I lasted through a lot of downturn until I left that company after 11 yrs. Anyway, tmi probably.
avidoger t1_j2b4h8c wrote
Ideally you work for someone that wants you to be successful. If this is the case your LPT is great advice. If you work for someone that doesn't invest in you, maybe best to find another job.
admiralZeke t1_j2b58q7 wrote
Make someone look like an idiot is never the answer - it brings negative effects to that someone and, in the long run, to you as well
UserLevelOver9000 t1_j2bbcfw wrote
So it's okay to have a boss that spends 50% of their time playing games on their iPad, with the other 50% of the time commenting on breast size (and what they'd do with those breasts). I don't give a f**k about the job, i'm here to watch the shit show.
If kissing a misogynist arse is your idea of climbing the ladder, I suggest you get Lip Enhancement...
timmyboyoyo t1_j2bmva2 wrote
What kind of job is that
UserLevelOver9000 t1_j2btyb8 wrote
Standing behind a till taking money for gas...
Enough_Blueberry_549 t1_j2cuql6 wrote
This seems to have very little to do with the original post
sinr_88 t1_j2dfsik wrote
Just make sure you dont do too good a job or you'll be stuck in your role until they get promoted or you threaten to leave
thegmanater t1_j2f5up1 wrote
I lead 2 different technology teams and this is exactly it. I have it on a poster on my wall. And it's been very successful over the years. You do everything you can to make your boss's job easier and do everything you can to help elevate and protect your team.
[deleted] t1_j2fadc2 wrote
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keepthetips t1_j2av5i0 wrote
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