Anyone who claims to be indifferent to the needs and wants of the boss (a) has a career death wish or (b) is independently wealthy. Realize, though, that you can make the boss happy and still keep your dignity.

Let’s face it. No one wants to be known as a kiss-up. And even if you didn’t care what people thought of you, consider that your boss isn’t an idiot and probably would see through the act.

But there are strategies to win the boss over and maybe win some respect, too.

Complain or disagree in private. Consider the case of Admiral William Fallon, a Pentagon big-wig who was forced to resign after he publicly disagreed, in an Esquire magazine interview, with President Bush.

OK, you probably won’t get interviewed by Esquire, but it’s likely someone at work will ask you about a decision your boss made. Complain and criticize at your own risk.

That doesn’t mean you can’t sit across the table, one-on-one, and disagree with the boss; most good ones like to hear a little disagreement. Just make sure the boss is the only one who hears it.

Disagree without disagreeing. If you shook your head at the previous paragraph and said, “Well, my boss doesn’t like disagreement of any kind,” this one’s for you.

You know what your boss prefers. You have a different idea. The key is in presenting the idea.

Career-killer: “I’m going to disagree with that and say …”

Career-enhancer: “Just to piggy-back on your idea, let me say …”
Or use a question: “Can I offer an idea that builds on yours?”

Learn the boss’s format. If your boss likes reports that contain clear-cut numbers and statistics, and you keep providing wordy “War and Peace” information, don’t wonder why you’re nor the boss’s favorite person.

Now, you may argue, “But, hey, I’m another Tolstoy – my strength is writing “War and Peace” reports. Anyone who makes that argument isn’t paying attention: It’s not about what you like or what you’re good at. It’s about the boss.

Tags: boss, esquire, president bush, william fallon