Bangalore: "If you remember your boss probably has a boss to report to also, you will enhance your career prospects,'' says former human resource head and now consultant M.K. Rao. Few business schools actually have a course on "managing your boss", so most freshers have to learn it the hard way. While your immediate team leader or supervisor is the person you come in daily contact with, his or her boss should be your concern... because that is where decisions are made, including your own salary raise or promotion. Bosses are not generic but come with all types of temperaments. You need to first study what he wants, expects and likes to get accomplished. These will, of course, vary with the organisation but the common answer will be greater efficiency and productivity; because the boss at the next higher level expects that. "It usually takes from two weeks to one month for a really enthusiastic employee to learn the processes that make up the business he is working for. The supervisors also usually allow that much `settling down' time. After that first month you need to really make a positive impression with the boss,'' says Mr. Rao.

Some managers are such perfectionists and sticklers for rules that they cannot understand the current trend of encouraging innovation. Others are all for new ideas even if they take the credit for it. Communications between the different levels of corporate hierarchy have become easier over the past decade. This means a useful, practical and time or cost saving idea can reach the top management that much faster.

Apart from generating ideas that help the organisation as a whole, the new employee needs immediate priorities too; such as making life easier for the boss. It could be by reducing paper work and taking care of routine chores without being reminded. It could also be the willingness to shoulder extra work to save the boss some trouble. At some time or the other, bosses are likely to be in a bad mood. Problems at home or work could be bothering them. They may lose temper more easily, perhaps, even shout. Fortunately, few top managers these days throw real temper tantrums. "If the cause of anger is not something you have done but an external factor, be patient with the boss. Reacting angrily to anger has negative results,'' remarks psychotherapist Sunanda Murthy. Chances are once tempers cool down you may even be appreciated for staying cool under pressure.

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