What My Awesome Bosses Taught Me Over the Years

Say Thank You & Recognize

When someone helps you at work, say thank you. Not as a meaningless word, but as sincerely as you could. Think, if they did not help you, could you have completed that tiny piece of work you kept procrastinating? That very thought will bring sincerity into your tone and your message.

Best Practice: At times, if it really made a difference to my deliverable, I copy the person’s manager into the loop.

Say Sorry

Nothing works like apologizing, when used wisely. Owe up your mistakes, learn from them, and use that as an experience. No one will judge you if you make a mistake at work, it is about how gracefully you manage to take the leap forward.

Best Practice: I do feel terrible when I get criticized, but the minute it is coming from someone who I know is talking about my work, and not as a personal remark, I "try" really hard to take it in the right spirit.

Smile

Often used, but again, lacking sincerity. Show people you genuinely like working with them, and nothing conveys it like a smile. Having a forever-marked frown on your face does not give you a serious persona. You want people to come to you, you want people to see you as a happy, engaged and awesome colleague.

Best Practice: Connect with people while in elevators, cafeteria, office gym...just a "how are you?" could go a long way!

Listen

The other person may be wrong, the other person may be sounding terrible - - but listen. Again, to be used wisely. You don’t have to listen to everyone and everything. But it is the most helpful tool in building your reputation and your networks.

Best Practice: I look right into the eyes of the person, nod, empathise if need be, and ensure that I am "genuinely" in the moment. Else, I say, "if you don't mind, can we talk a little later?" That's fine.

Not the Boss, But the Team Member

Ok, so you are the boss. So? I have had managers who have rolled up their sleeves and slogged with the team till our result was achieved. I have also had managers who sat in glass cabins and dictated deadlines. I loved working with the first set - - I have always wanted to do more for the first set.

Best Practice: Managers need a pat on their backs too. But don't do it because he/she is the boss. Be open, and say, "I really appreciate working with you." I have done that, with most of my bosses, and they have always looked forward to hearing criticism as well from me. Works both ways! :)