Peak Performers by Tiffany Uman

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How to look good in front of your boss

August 18, 2025

Thank you for joining my Peak Performers newsletter! Every Monday, we share practical tips and scripts to help you land the roles you want, thrive with confidence at work and grow faster.

Have you ever noticed that in every workplace, there’s a select group of people who seem to have an edge. You know the ones. Those who consistently receive recognition, secure faster promotions, and land high-impact projects?

It’s easy to chalk that up to luck or being well-connected.

But what if I told you their success often hinges on something much simpler...mastering the art of making a great impression on their boss, without ever appearing to try 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 subtle strategies that fly under the radar but deliver major results. And the best part? These strategies are actionable and attainable for anyone willing to adopt them.

​I’ve coached 1,147 women to achieve faster promotions and level up into senior roles with confidence in just a few short weeks. Now, I’m pulling back the curtain on the 3 key ways to shine in front of your boss to position you miles ahead of your peers.

Here’s how.

3 ways to look good in front of your boss

1. Anticipate your boss's needs before they ask

Being a 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 needs shows foresight, initiative, and that you’re invested in the bigger picture, not just your own to-do list. The result? You get trusted with bigger projects and higher-visibility opportunities.

→ Scan what’s ahead: Look at upcoming projects, deadlines, and meetings. Identify possible roadblocks and opportunities, then share a quick action plan with your boss.

→ Solve recurring problems: If you see the same issue coming up, proactively propose solutions.

→ Lighten their load: Draft emails, prep meeting agendas, or create briefing materials they’ll need before they even ask.

Pro tip: Learn your boss’s top priorities and align your work with them. Ask questions like “What’s your biggest pain point right now?” or “What’s the biggest obstacle to hitting X?”, and then schedule quick check-ins to stay aligned.

Over time, this positions you as both a problem-solver and someone they can rely on to anticipate, adapt, and deliver without micromanagement.

[Check out my free LinkedIn Learning nano-course Nano Tips to Fast-Track Your Career]

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.

→ Frame your updates around outcomes, not just inputs of your work: This will remind your boss of the impact you're driving daily, not just task execution.

→ Use metrics and data to back up your success: It's hard to deny facts. 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.

→ 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.

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.
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This is also key as you begin a new role to set the right precedent right out of the gate, just like our client. Not only did she land a $330K new job offer within just 8 weeks of working together (that was a $100K raise for her 🤯), she's already setting the right approach with her boss from day 1.

3. Showcase your problem-solving skills in real time

Nothing builds trust faster than being the person who can think on their feet, stay composed, and resolve issues quickly, especially when stakes are high.

The last thing your boss needs is another problem dumped on their desk with an unspoken “your turn.” Instead, position yourself as a solution-oriented ally who comes prepared.

→ Arrive with options: When an issue comes up, present 2-3 possible solutions, their pros and cons, and your recommendation.

→ Stay calm in a crisis: Your tone and clarity matter as much as your plan. Calm, concise communication reassures your boss and earns you the reputation of being the steady hand when things get messy.

→ Close the loop: Once resolved, share lessons learned and how to prevent repeat issues.

​One of my clients did exactly this after a critical work incident. Instead of waiting for her boss to act, she stepped in with multiple solutions, implemented the best one immediately, and kept leadership updated. The issue was resolved faster and she received formal recognition from senior leadership for her initiative.

You've got this!

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This week’s mission: Use these 3 strategies to look good front of your boss.

• Anticipate needs before they arise. Look ahead at your boss’s calendar, team priorities, or upcoming deadlines. Identify 1 thing you can prep in advance (i.e. a draft agenda, talking points, or risk/opportunity list) and send it with a short note on how it adds value.​
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• Communicate outcomes, not effort. Choose 1 project or task you’ve recently worked on and reframe your update to lead with measurable results. Instead of explaining what you did, highlight the impact with a clear metric, then outline the next step you recommend.
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• Bring solutions, not problems. Think of 1 recurring challenge your team faces. Draft 2-3 possible solutions with pros and cons, and present them with your recommended approach. Position it as a way to make progress faster and lighten your boss’s decision-making load.

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