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How does a great team member relate to the boss?

Home » Leadership » Becoming a Great Team Member » How does a great team member relate to the boss?

Chances are, you�ve had your share of good bosses and your share of less than perfect ones. A great team member, however, acts in basically the same way, regardless of how the boss treats him.

A great team member respects his boss and his boss�s authority�even when he doesn�t agree. This can be especially difficult when everyone else on your team is badmouthing the boss or complaining behind his back. Should you join the team or stick up for the boss? Generally, do what your mother told you: �If you don�t have anything nice to say, don�t say anything at all.� Your refusal to join the criticism may be ridiculed, but you won�t become a hypocrite�acting one way in front of the boss and another way behind his back�and you may encourage other workers to do the same.

A great team member is an asset to the team and someone whom the boss trusts. You do your work to the best of your ability, but you ask for help when you need it and don�t try to do it all yourself. You listen well to instructions and over-perform rather than over-promise. When the time comes, you provide feedback to the boss and praise other members of your team to him.

A good rule for relating to the boss (as well as for all of life) is the Golden Rule: Treat others the same way you would want them to treat you. Put yourself in your boss�s shoes: If you were the boss, how would you want employees to respond to you? How is your perspective different?

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