Do you do anything extra special?

[editorus]

Do you do anything a bit special just for your boss (example tidy desk, water plants, schedule personal time) that you don't really do for others?

[gee4]

No, not unless he specifically asks.  Just in same way I wouldn't want anyone to tidy my desk, (not that it needs it).

G

[raindance]

I don't do any of those sorts of things.  They are not required in my job.

Bossy doesn't have plants in her office (I have plants in mine) and she is nicely house-trained.

Raindance

[jak0215]

I do tend to be protective of my bosses time.  She is in meetings almost all day every day, at the beginning of each month I try to schedule time for herself on her calendar everyday.  Sometimes I am able to stand firm on that time, other times I have to be a little more flexible.  I will pick her up lunch when she needs it, this is never a problem for me.  We have a great relationship - friendly but also very respectful.  I have had my fair share of not so great bosses who I have done the same things for, it does make a difference when my actions are appreciated everyday as well as in my yearly review.  As a side note, I am just getting started on Weight Watchers; she, as a lifetime member, has been very supportive of me and the challenges I face.  When she noticed a WW meal in the freezer which happens to be a favorite of hers that she can not find anymore, she asked me to pick a few up for her the next time I saw it, which I did without any qualms.  My personality tends to be the nurturing type so going the extra step to help some one out is natural for me.  Don't get me wrong, I am by no means a doormat  - I  have and will stand up for myself when needed (hence Evil Jill), but for the most part I see no problem doing the little extra things that make my bosses work life easier.

[msmarieh]

With my last boss, I would go in every month or two and completely clean off his white board (and re-write all the stuff that was on there). It got written on and erased so often it would get the ghost images and just look awful.

I actually did it for both bosses (when I got down to only supporting two people, only did it for one when I supported seven people).

Just seemed like a nice thing to do, it certainly wasn't required.

Marie

[diamondlady]

I do most of those things only to save time for the boss.  I work for the CFO who has very hectic days as of late, and decided if getting coffee, etc. makes his life easier, then I'm all for it.  I don't mind the occasional personal run either.  He will sometimes ask me to go to the bank for him to deposit his expense check.  Once in a while, not all too often.  I really don't mind.  I have a super boss whom I've worked for 8 years now and appreciate him as I too have had a few not so nice bosses.  He'll be turning 62 at the end of the month and he's thinking of retiring soon, I do not look forward to that day.  He will be missed.  By me most of all.

Diamondlady
Peer Moderator

[officeguru]

I occassionally do lunch runs to boss' favorite salad place - and I'll always ask the area's managers if they want anything while I'm there.  And I'll do a complete desk cleaning - moving things off and dusting, blowing out the crud of her keyboard, and otherwise just giving the office a once over for neatness, etc.  I plan this for days she's out of the office and I'm in jeans.

I am horrible when it comes to taking care of plants though... I managed to kill the one she has had for quite a number of years.  But in all fairness - she and I each have plants on our desks that are taken care of by the company 'plant people' - so I never realized she had a personal plant that I was suppose to keep watered.  Luckily there's another admin in the area that has adopted the plant temporarily to get it back to a healthy state.  

There's a few 'little' things I do... most admins in my division do such things for their leadership... and we all have fun teasing each other when we see one doing the 'above and beyond' little things we do to keep our boss happy - cause when they're happy... our lives are just a bit easier!  

[carolmmarch]

Our Receptionist does all the office plant watering - thank goodness - if I had to do it we wouldn't have ANY!!

When my boss is out I try to keep his inbox as neat & tidy as possible.  I'll sort things that need to be read, signed, filed...etc...  I dust his bookshelf when he's not in but he's a neat freak already so there isn't much to do.

A couple of times I've made dinner reservations & flight arrangements for him & his wife and I also gathered all the information needed for his wife to get her passport.

I've been at my company for 15 years but only the Executive Assistant for a little over a year so whatever I can do for him to make a good impression I do.

***((***Carol***))***

[countrigal]

When I have a boss that I like, I most definitely will go above-and-beyond for him/her.  Unfortunately, my current boss doesn't fit this grouping and therefore I barely do the required, much less any extras.  I miss the days when I could make my boss happy with a little something extra, even if it was just a doughnut in the morning with his coffee, because the office atmosphere was more friendly and laid-back then, and I seemed to always know where I stood with him.  Now with this boss, who knows where any of us stand unless she's standing on our backs.  Sucks...

CountriGal
Peer Moderator

[misslynn]

I'm sorry to hear that countrigal, it's tough when you have a boss like that, I hope it gets better for you.

As for my boss, I always try to go the extra step for him.  He's a great boss and always appreciates what I do so that makes it worth it.  Whether it's cleaning his desk, reminding him of his anniversary or whatever, I'm always happy to help him.

[ejiro]

it is quite interesting to have a boss with whom you can be friends too.

a little advice for countrigal. you dont have to be mean to your boss just because she deserves it. You could affect her positively if you repay all her evil deeds with good ones. in no time you will discover that her attitude towards you will change and you in turn will feel better, happier and more relevant

my boss and i have a good relationship. it took some working on.

Ejiro

[countrigal]

Thank you for your comments.  I have never been mean to my boss, in fact just the opposite -- I did do all the little things, gave 150%, etc, until she stabbed me in the back one too many times, and the last one was a major, major issue (which could have affected my career, long-term).  That was the point where I did my job to my high standards (I do have work ethics) but did not volunteer to do the extra things the office might have needed, did not use my skills to go above and beyond to help her or the others in the office (who were behind her), but at the same time treated her with the respect her position deserved and gave her my best in my job.

Luckily, I'm soon out from under her and someone else can try to please her.  I'm sure we'll both be happier this way, as she'll be able to hire someone she likes, does not see as a threat, has the skills she expects, and I'll be working in an environment that seems to reward those who go above and beyond.

CountriGal
Peer Moderator

[dettu]

I did in my old job, because he expected it--helped him locate and make reservations at restaurants in another city, for example. He'd be traveling for business, but would take his family along and the reservations would be for after business hours. I wouldn't have minded if he didn't expect it or if he sincerely appreciated it, but I could always tell he said "thanks" because that's what they told him to do at management training.

For my current group (I consider them all my bosses) I have done a few special things--I helped one person plan her husband's birthday party (and then she invited me and my husband), I've lent books to a couple of people, this and that. They don't expect much of me so I don't get the opportunity, really.

Oh, and I bring them cookies for Bosses' Day. That's a big hit.