Bangalore: To succeed in any career you need to understand your boss better. Unless you are your own boss.

"Find out what your boss expects from you and that should go beyond just a job description. If you have specific responsibilities, ask how the top management expects they be carried out so that there are no misunderstandings,'' advises K. Panduranga, Management Consultant.

It also helps, if you are new in the organisation, to ask colleagues about their understanding of the boss's expectations. If one colleague has been more successful in figuring out such expectations, learn from his or her experience. Over the first month at work, spend as much time as possible with the boss. Observe his or her management style, listen carefully and later write down what you find is most important to the boss.

"While all organisations look at the bottomline, top management does have different approaches to that... what is now called organisational values. Understand and follow them and your career is made,'' suggests former corporate HR head M.K. Rao. These days, some companies, for example, focus on cutting costs. If, as an employee, you can suggest ways to cut expenses in your own section, it helps.

"More than anything else, try to do something good each day to make your boss look good to his or her own boss, which may be the board of directors. If you can try to get problems sorted out before they reach the boss's desk, you have it made. Be armed with solutions for all frequent problems in the workplace," Mr. Rao says.

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