- So today I'm gonna tell you what it takes
to get noticed by your boss for all the right reasons.
So stay tuned for three simple ways to impress your boss,
plus, a very quick tip involving a pen (laughs)
that will show your boss that you are dead serious
about getting a promotion.
Plus, a completely free guide to getting promoted
in eight simple steps.
But before we get started, don't forget to subscribe
to this channel and click the little bell icon,
which will give you notification every time we drop a video
on fantastic career tips.
(calm instrumental music)
But today, we're gonna be talking about what it takes
to impress your boss.
I'm Dr Suzanne Doyle-Morris and I've spent the last 15 years
of my life coaching women in male dominated fields.
So today, I'm gonna give you three simple way
to impress your boss,
which we're gonna refer to as The Levels (laughs).
So level one, pretty basic, do your job really well.
Now, this is really simple.
So I'm not gonna actually spend much time on it at all.
It's ground level stuff when it comes
to impressing your boss.
And the only reason I'm mentioning it,
is how many times I speak to frustrated middle
or senior leaders who say to me, "You know what?
"He only started a couple months ago
"and he's already asking about a promotion."
Or the equally popular (laughs).
She's asking for more things to take on,
but she's not even doing the basics very well.
Now, that exasperates your boss
and it's not gonna get you anywhere quickly, enough said.
Level two.
If you want to impress your boss,
ask about their priorities.
And ask often and be ready to hear changes
in those priorities.
So you can use questions like,
if I could focus on only three things
to deliver for you in the next month, what would they be?
And this is about getting your boss to prioritise
what's important to them, not just what's important for you.
Then, take that list and revert back to level one
and do those things really well.
And the reason I advise you to ask frequently is
because just like everyone's life,
priorities change based on what's going on for the company,
in the markets, for clients, or even other stakeholders.
So you're gonna need to be flexible on this one.
If the second time you ask them,
they give you a different priority,
then don't simply try to take it on
in addition to everything,
otherwise you're working
to a never ending list of priorities.
Maintain your boundaries and say,
"Okay, thanks for the update on that situation."
Compared to last month's priority list of X, Y and Z.
What is now a nice to have
or could be potentially pushed back,
rather than a key priority?
Now this is a really important point
because it's particularly overlooked
by women who often just keep saying yes
to every new request that they're trying to do,
and they end up spending too much time on a lot
of things poorly, rather than doing a few things well.
So now, you've got your first two levels on
how to impress your boss.
Which of these do you think you're gonna spend most
of your time on?
Write down whether you think you're gonna be
in time on level one or level two.
Alright, now the third level in impressing your boss is
to help them get ahead of the stresses
that their job causes them.
Impressing your boss is a bit like dating
and that you always remember the people
who go above and beyond.
Now, anyone, as we know, can take you to a movie
and buy you a tub of popcorn.
Extra butter, please.
But that's completely level one stuff,
and it's not even particularly memorable.
So it's not gonna set you apart.
The people who are the ones you remember,
are the ones who went above and beyond.
Around how considered they were,
those are the ones who are truly impressive.
It's interesting what you can glean from a conversation
with your boss where you ask them simple questions like,
"What keeps you up at night?"
Or, "What are the headaches you could do without?"
Remember, they too have their own boss
with their own priorities.
So helping them sort out in their own head,
which are the most important and how you can help,
is a great way to impress your boss.
Even just asking, "What would it mean to you
"if I could help you achieve that one thing?"
Then focus on helping them manage their daily headaches,
not just impress them,
but you'll turn them into an advocate.
And who doesn't need more of those at work (laughs)?
So now I've said I'd give you a favourite move
with a pen to impress your boss
and show them you are dead serious about progression.
So when you ask your killer questions
that we've talked about,
write down their answers in front of them.
It is remarkable to me how frequently we ask questions,
but we don't show the person who answered
that we're gonna do anything with it (laughs).
If I answer a question you ask
and assume you're just gonna have to hopefully remember it.
Well, I have to hope you have a bloomin' good memory.
However, if you take time to write down my answers
in front of me,
well, it sends a subconscious message
to me that you're gonna do something with what I told you.
And that is impressive!
Now you know how to impress your boss.
You'll probably want my completely free advice on
how to get promoted in eight simple steps.
And they're simple steps that I've worked
for loads of clients.
So just click the link in the description below.
And don't forget to like this video
and share it with friends or colleagues,
particularly those you know who have their own boss issues.
And subscribe to my channel for more videos
that will help you with your career.
So let me know, in the comments section below,
what impressed you the most when someone
who reported directly to you, actually did it.
That will give ideas for all of us.
And good luck and go out and be impressive!