Managing one’s boss can be a challenge, and most people have problems and frustrations with their superiors.
Working optimally with your boss means trying to produce the best possible results in an organization, keeping your stress levels low and increasing your happiness. It helps to have clarity about your options, keeping your sanity and focusing on what you can control.

Managing Your Boss

Leadership

Try connecting with your manager on a regular basis, clearing the work goals and priorities of the coming weeks or months. 
Ensure that this line of communication is open so that there is clarity on both sides.

Talk About Priorities

Just like setting priorities, there has to be a regular touchpoint system established, for checking in and getting queries solved. 
Maintaining regularity of the meeting is imperative, though there are bound to be cancellations due to other priorities of your boss. It helps to take this into account and pushing for the meeting nonetheless.

Regular Touchpoints

Keeping emails concise and taking the bosses written approvals in a simple Yes or No can be helpful. Make sure the text is to-the-point, with suggested solutions, so that the boss can answer quickly.

Make It Easy For The Boss

Timely feedback of your work is to be provided by the boss on a regular basis, rather than springing a surprise in the performance review. Asking proactively for feedback will correct the problems (if any) when it is not too late.

Ask For Feedback

<ul>
<li>Don’t Take Things Personally: It helps to have a ‘thick skin’ and keep your ego out of your boss’s ultimate decision which may not be your preference.</li>
<li>Your Boss Is Human Too: Your boss can also feel frustrated, flustered or in need of a good word. Being human also brings in envy or insecurity in a person, so you have to consider that while dealing with your boss.</li>
<li>Avoid Ambiguity: Keeping things written down, and clear helps avoid misunderstandings, miscommunications and ambiguity. Being organized and easy to work with can help you deal with your boss efficiently.</li>
</ul>

Boss Management

Executive Time is Slate's pop-up blog about bosses. If you have frustrations about your boss, you're far from alone. Most people do, even when that boss is a good manager.

Make It Easy For The Boss

How to Have a Successful One-on-One With Your Boss

Getting ready for 1:1 conversation

The 8 best questions to put on your next one-on-one meeting agenda

Must-have questions for 1:1 meetings

How to Disagree with Someone More Powerful than You

Be realistic about the risks

Decide whether to wait

Identify a shared goal