The Work Habits That Make Your Boss Think You Have Your Life Together
fizkes | Shutterstock Most people have a work persona that's different from who they are at home, and the most adept employees develop work habits that match that persona and make their boss think their life is as put together as their productivity.
These habits can help you stand out from your co-workers, which can be important when it comes to job security. Being good at your job is obviously important, but traits like common sense and social awareness go much further than simply getting your work done.
Work habits that make your boss think you’ve got your life together
1. Anticipating their needs
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Especially for bosses with a ton on their plates, employees who anticipate what’s coming next, and what their leaders may ask for, without needing to ask, are superheroes. Even when they’re not getting direct guidance, they know how to get things done and stay productive.
Sometimes, this kind of anticipation is the key to building a good reputation in the workplace and to improving a boss-employee relationship. Even anticipating a boss’s weaknesses and stepping in, instead of calling them out in ways that harm a fragile ego, is a superpower.
2. Having a digital organization system
Many of the best employees create solutions and structures that benefit everyone at work. They do it with a digital organization system, like templates for posts and documents for professional strategy.
No, that doesn’t mean you have to overwork yourself or take on projects outside your job description to make it seem like you have your life together. However, sometimes streamlining things and making everyone feel on the same page is a great way to improve professional dynamics.
3. Getting ready every day
While we don’t always like to say it, sometimes our appearance does play into workplace dynamics and perceptions. At the very least, someone who feels more confident is more secure and empowered to do a great job.
Confident individuals are also perceived as more competent. So, even when they don’t know what they’re talking about or what to do, sometimes confidence improves how their bosses see them at work.
4. Being early
Leaders tend to like employees who show up early more than those who don't. Whether it’s simple reliability or the impression that you’re more conscientious and loyal to the company, you can show your boss you have your life together by budgeting a couple of extra minutes every morning or before every meeting.
Yes, it’s not always possible, and even the best employees are humans, but trying to budget a couple of minutes is an accessible way to improve all professional relationships.
5. Bringing up issues with a solution
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Good employees are observant enough to notice workplace problems and bring them to light. The best employees bring problems to their bosses with a solution in mind, or already in progress.
Instead of adding more work to their boss's plate by bringing up an issue, they treat it as a reminder or an update. They say, “Here’s what I’m doing to fix it,” or “Here’s what I think we should do,” instead of just dumping it on their desk, which can change how they’re perceived.
6. Figuring out answers to their questions
Sometimes, taking the reins is exactly the right choice for an employee to build trust. The more they can operate independently without needing someone to look over their shoulder, the easier they are for bosses to keep around.
Yes, they’ll make mistakes or need help, but constantly seeking support or asking mundane questions they could answer themselves only creates more frustration for their bosses. When their leaders have a ton on their plate, they don’t want to have to hold someone’s hand to do a good job.
7. Asking for feedback
So many people crave feedback, but are afraid to give it. But when they have good employees who regularly open productive conversations about how to improve, it can relieve that stress and anxiety about how they’ll be perceived.
This not only opens lines of communication, but also relieves everyone’s nervousness and anxiety about saying the wrong thing or having their feedback misconstrued as judgment.
8. Staying calm under pressure
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Emotional intelligence can sometimes make work a minefield of overwhelming emotions. However, when bosses have a certain level of emotional intelligence themselves, noticing someone regulate their feelings and bring calm to stressful situations can significantly improve how they’re perceived.
No matter what’s on their plate or what crosses their path, nobody has to worry about whether or not they can handle the stress.
Zayda Slabbekoorn is a senior editorial strategist with a bachelor’s degree in social relations & policy and gender studies who focuses on psychology, relationships, self-help, and human interest stories.
