Let’s talk about more specific ways you can act, and how it makes your boss feel.
Remember our verse:
1Pe 2:18 Servants, be submissive to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the harsh.
- Your boss gives you a task. You complete it and presents it to him. He sends you back and asks for more. If your results caused him to develop further requirements, it is fine. However, if he was unhappy with the results, it proves that you did not understand the task or he explained poorly. Always make sure you understand a task fully. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. You also have to understand why he wants the specific job done. This will reveal his vision. If you follow his vision, you will be able to think beyond the letter of the task. You will know what is required to fulfill the vision. This will inspire you, and give you initiative to go beyond the given task. He will have to admire you for your insight, your ability to produce more than required. Don’t, however, produce more than necessary if this means you are going to make a deadline slip. Balance is the key. You have to impress him – not frustrate him.
- If you make a habit of asking favours, you put your boss on the spot. You come forward as a schemer. You normally catch him off guard. He is frustrated because he cannot think of a good enough excuse to say no. Resentment starts building up. You are there to help him. He did not employ you so he can do you favours all day. This also shows that your work is in the way of your private life. Your priorities are wrong. You entered into a contract to serve him. Plan your private life better. If you work on your favour first, by doing what he needs, he will gladly accommodate you if you have a problem. You will build up a reputation as a person who is serious about your work. He will trust you and know the work will be done – even if you have to take time off occasionally.
- You may think you are smarter than your boss. Maybe you are. Maybe you just don’t respect him because you’re not too impressed with his position. Maybe you think you’ll be further when you are that age. This opinion may cause you to act “smart’ or “wise”, or “cocky”. Remember, a smart boss would employ someone as smart as you. He still wants you to help him – so help him. If you threaten him through your actions, he may just get you back when it is increase time. If you are really smart, you would help him improve his department – even if he gets the credit for your ideas. If he goes up, you may take his place. Also, instead of judging him, why don’t you take the time to figure out why his boss is impressed with him. What makes him so special that his boss made him your boss? Once you learnt to respect him for his good qualities, it will be much easier to forgive him for the bad ones. In summary, watch your mouth and watch your body language.
Lastly, remember, you would want to be a boss yourself one day. You could use these early days to brush up your inter personal skills. Learn how to read people and circumstances. You may even have a youngster like yourself who work for you. How will you get him to make your life easy?