“Enthusiasm is one of the most powerful engines of success. When you do a thing, do it with all your might. Put your whole soul into it. Stamp it with your own personality. Be active, be energetic, be enthusiastic and faithful, and you will accomplish your object. Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.”
– Ralph Waldo Emerson
I’m going to tell you a little secret that might surprise you.
Here it goes: Every boss has his or her favorites.
It’s true.
So the question is, are you one of your boss’s favorites?
I don’t say that to make it seem like bosses make indiscriminate decisions about who to trust on their teams.
But bosses have a hard gig. They’re managing up, they’re managing down. And if they’re accountable to customers or stakeholders, it gets even more complicated.
They need people on their teams – good people – that they know have their back.
I always had an “A-team” as a manager. There’s nothing formal or prescribed about it. It’s largely based on a high level of trust, dependability, and sense of commitment – not just to the job, but also to me, personally, as a manager.
The A-team are the people that want me as the manager to be successful, and from whom I trust getting feedback and insight.
By definition it can’t be everyone on the team. But finding the right people is key.
And at the end of the day, the A-team started out as people who made my life as a manager easier.
In this The Muse column, I share what you can do to make your boss’s life easier.
Whether or not you end up on the A team depends a lot on your manager, you, and your relationship. But no matter what, you’ll learn, grow, and develop a strong sense of confidence when you take these actions to heart.
And it’ll make you ready for whatever comes next in your career.
Go here to check it out. Here’s to your success!
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This post was previously published and was updated in September 2019.
Image: https://www.123rf.com/stock-photo/