Have you ever noticed that in every workplace, there’s a select group of professionals who seem to have an edge? Those who get the recognition, faster promotions, and high-impact projects more than others?
It’s easy to assume they’re simply lucky or exceptionally well-connected.
But what if I told you that their success often hinges on something much simpler; they’ve mastered the art of making a great impression on their boss, without ever looking like they’re trying too hard.
Looking good in front of your boss isn’t about constant flattery or working overtime to prove your worth.
It’s about playing a smarter game by leveraging strategies that fly under the radar but pay off in big ways. The best part? These strategies are actionable and attainable for anyone willing to adopt them.
​Having coached thousands of professionals in unlocking higher levels of career growth and impact, I’m pulling back the curtain on 3 essential ways to shine in front of your boss. While most professionals overlook these, you'll be miles ahead of your peers.
Here's how.
Let's start with what to avoid (and yes, these mistakes happen too often!)
As much as you may have good intentions with your boss, there's a few key mistakes that you must avoid that will hurt your relationship instead of working to your advantage. These include:
→ Overloading your boss with updates: Bombarding your boss with too many updates, especially when they lack clear, actionable points, can be counterproductive. It not only overwhelms them but also diminishes the impact of your key messages. Instead, focus on concise, purposeful communication that highlights essential information and provides a clear path forward, like this.
→ Seeking constant validation: Frequently asking for reassurance may seem like a way to show you care about doing a good job, but it can come across as a lack of confidence in your abilities. Over time, this can erode your boss's trust in your judgment. Instead, strive to show confidence in your decisions and seek feedback only when necessary, rather than for constant approval.
→ Being reactive instead of proactive: If you’re always waiting for your boss to give you direction, you’ll constantly be playing catch-up. This reactive approach signals that you’re not thinking ahead or anticipating needs. Instead, aim to proactively identify challenges and opportunities, positioning yourself as someone who brings solutions rather than just responding to problems.
Now that we got that out of the way, let's dive into my simple best practices to set you apart.
3 ways to look good in front of your boss
1/ Anticipate your boss's needs before they ask
Being one step ahead is the name of the game.
What separates peak performers from the average is that they don't wait for their boss to tell them what they need to do. They play an active role in this together.
Anticipating your boss’s needs demonstrates foresight and initiative, positioning you as someone who doesn’t just execute tasks but actively contributes to the team’s success.
→ Regularly review upcoming projects and deadlines. Go beyond just knowing what’s next, and actively think about potential obstacles and opportunities. Create a concise, preemptive action plan to share with your boss, outlining your recommended next steps and potential risks. This not only shows initiative but also makes their job easier, allowing them to also support you better.
→ Pay attention to recurring challenges your team or department faces. Analyze trends and be proactive in presenting solutions before these issues resurface. For instance, if you notice consistent bottlenecks at a particular stage of a project, propose alternative approaches or suggest resources that could help streamline the process. Where possible, tie those new efficiencies back to the primary goals of your department/division so this gains you even more recognition from your senior leaders too.
→ Offer to draft emails, prepare briefing materials, or create meeting agendas they’ll need in advance. By anticipating these needs, you save your boss time and demonstrate your commitment to the bigger picture. Always frame your support in terms of adding value such as, “I drafted this agenda for the client meeting to help us make the best impression.” This level of proactive support can significantly elevate how you’re perceived.
Pro tip: Learn your boss’s top priorities and align your work accordingly. Ask questions like "What is your biggest pain point right now?" or "In your view, what's the biggest obstacle holding us back from achieving X right now?". These serve as great gateways into where they need more support and where you can position yourself strategically. From here, schedule short check-ins to ensure you’re aligned. Position it as, “I want to be sure we’re driving this in the right direction”. You can even be a sounding board to them, as offering thoughtful feedback on their ideas can make you a trusted ally.
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2/ Communicate results, not just efforts
Your boss cares about the tangible impact you make, not just the time or effort you put in. By emphasizing results over processes, you show that you’re focused on driving value and contributing to the company's goals.
→ Frame your updates around outcomes, not just inputs of your work. Instead of saying “I spent the week analyzing data reports", highlight the impact such as “My analysis revealed insights that will increase efficiency in [X process] by 15%. I'd like to walk you through my findings and recommendations in terms of next steps". Do your best to connect your work to measurable results that align with your boss’s priorities.
→ Use metrics and data to back up your success. It's hard to deny facts and the more you leverage them, the more it builds your credibility with your boss. Be as quantifiable as possible as it makes your achievements more concrete. For example, instead of saying “The campaign performed well”, specify “The campaign exceeded our engagement target by 25%, driving 1,200 additional sign-ups versus our initial goal”. This makes your contributions undeniable, and reflects well on both you and your boss. A win-win!
→ End your emails or conversations with clear, actionable next steps. This keeps momentum going and shows that you’re thinking ahead while having ownership in your role. For example, “Based on our latest results, I recommend moving forward with strategy [X] to capitalize on recent market trends”. Additionally, tailor your updates to your boss’s communication style as some may prefer bullet points for quick scanning, while others appreciate a brief but engaging dialogue with more substance. When in doubt, ask your boss what kinds of updates they prefer to receive instead of reading their mind. It will avoid a lot of unnecessary frustration for you both.
3/ Showcase your problem-solving skills in real time
The ability to think on your feet and resolve issues quickly can set you apart as a reliable and trusted team member. It’s about being solution-oriented, especially when stakes are high.
The last thing you want is to dump problems onto your boss's desk expecting them to fix them for you.
Instead, demonstrate your resourcefulness to share problems along with your proposed solutions as a step in the right direction.
→ When faced with an issue, always come prepared with 2-3 potential solutions. Outline the pros and cons of each option, along with your recommended course of action. This saves your boss from doing the heavy lifting and highlights your ability to think critically and strategically. Make it easy for them to see that you’re not just identifying problems but actively working to solve them.
→ Stay composed during a crisis and communicate your plan of action clearly and confidently. Your calm demeanor will not only reassure your boss but also inspire trust in your ability to handle high-pressure situations. Practice the art of concise communication by summarizing key points and decisions in a way that conveys urgency without causing panic. Being the calm in the storm will not only gain support from your boss, but also create positive ripple effects on your team as someone they can lean on during challenging moments.
→ After resolving an issue, take the time to share lessons learned and propose ways to prevent similar problems in the future. This demonstrates that you’re thinking about long-term solutions, not just quick band-aid fixes. For example, you might say “To avoid this issue moving forward, I’ve outlined a new process that will streamline our workflow”. Your proactive approach will be seen as an asset, and it positions you as someone invested in continuous improvement. Additionally, be ready to provide data or examples that support your recommendations to solidify your credibility.
This is exactly what my client did following a critical work incident in her department. Instead of leaving her boss to take action on this sensitive situation, she stepped in with several solutions and offered immediate support. This not only helped them resolve the situation much faster, but it led to a major internal recognition from her manager towards their senior leadership team.
How will you show up in front of your boss?
Setting yourself apart in front of your boss doesn't need to be complicated. It's ultimately about being proactive, strategic and results-driven so that you can perform best in your role while also supporting them in their needs for the team. Let's make sure you step into your full potential and shine the way you deserve.
You've got this!
PS. If you've been struggling with a difficult boss, I can help. Simply respond back to this newsletter.
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This week's mission is designed to help you look good in front of your boss, whether in your current position or future roles you'll be stepping into. Dedicate uninterrupted time to reflect on the below prompts while marking down your respective action steps.
1/ Anticipate your boss's needs:
- Review upcoming projects or meetings and identify potential challenges. Draft a brief action plan with suggested solutions and share it with your boss.
- Offer to prepare materials or draft emails in advance to show proactive support.
2/ Communicate your impact, not effort:
- Choose a recent accomplishment and reframe it to emphasize outcomes, using data or metrics to highlight your impact. Be as quantifiable as possible (think sales impact, cost savings, time gains, process efficiencies, complexities managed, etc...)
- Practice delivering this update in your next meeting or email, ensuring your message is clear and results-focused.
3/ Practice real-time problem-solving:
- Pick a frequent issue your team faces and develop 2-3 actionable solutions, outlining the pros and cons of each.
- Present your solutions confidently, and propose ways to prevent similar issues in the future to show forward-thinking and a sense of ownership in your work.
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