Many bosses want their employees to be excellent workers in their companies in order to achieve their full potential … but not all bosses explain in detail what they expect of their employees, in fact, they may hope that it is the employees themselves who discover what they should do at any given moment of their working day.

Sometimes it can be difficult to know exactly what your boss needs or wants from you. No matter what workplace you work in, there are some universal traits bosses want people to do. Not only do these features make a boss’s day-to-day easier, they can put you on a fast track to a raise or promotion. 

1. Give good results

Yes, this sounds obvious, but actually delivering results is the main thing your boss needs from you. After all, that’s why he hired you. You have the tools and knowledge to deliver results, and it’s up to you to do it. Your boss will be there for you to get advice, support, and help you get through tough times, but you need to deliver results and then deliver them as a regular part of your job to get it right. Going through it will not earn you points with the boss, nor will it advance your career … but it is necessary to achieve it every day.

2. Be punctual

It is very unpleasant that you are late for your job. Doing it once in a punctual and justified way can have a pass, but doing it every day is a reason for dismissal. It is up to you to have the grace to communicate with your boss and his colleagues when these things happen. L os heads remember who is there on time, and those people will be those who can count on the future for promotion or improvement project.

3. Have your own opinion

Bosses are often busy managing everything from people to crisis situations , while trying to run a business, it is not an easy task. So giving a frame of reference when talking or emailing about projects and deliveries can make a big difference, having the initiative will always be a good idea.

Recognize that you have incredible power to shape how the boss sees something if you go beyond the typical vague question of ‘What do you think?’ Bear in mind that your boss has other things in mind and your work should be important both within the company and taking into account that your boss cannot be with you all day to help you do things well.

4. Don’t beat around the bush

Nothing angers a boss more than the fact that you beat around the bush waiting for him to fix things for you. You trust your boss, but your boss must trust you and your good work at work.

If you’re writing an email, take the time to edit your message and break down what you need to say into different parts so your boss can easily read and understand what you’re trying to get across. Any opportunity you can create to save your boss time, and help him avoid unnecessary frustration, will also benefit you.

5. Be quick in your requests or schedule appointments

It happens to the best of us: you stop by your boss’s office and ask, “Do you have just a second to go over this?” and 20 minutes later you’re nearing the end of your “quick second,” at which point your boss doesn’t seem to be paying much attention to what you’re saying. You think it’s because he doesn’t like your ideas or doesn’t care about your problem … Actually? It’s because he’s running late for a meeting now and he’s trying not to be rude by cutting you off .

Be realistic about the time you need with your boss, and don’t walk into his office for a “second” if what you have to say will inevitably take longer. Rather than showing up unannounced, have the foresight to schedule time with him and get his schedule.

6. Provide solutions

We’ve all heard this: don’t bring problems , bring solutions. It’s a massive cliche, but, as with all cliches, it contains a great deal of truth. If you always bring trouble, people will eventually stop listening. However, if you bring solutions, you will be positively remembered, even if they don’t always work 100% of the time.

Bosses are always looking for people who care enough about their roles to improve both their own areas of responsibility and those of others. Having the creativity and ingenuity to at least try to work out the complications will get you recognized for being resourceful and for being a team player seeking the greater good.

7. Have initiative

Being an entrepreneur helps a lot to impress your boss , but initiative is rarely taken. In fact, this quality is often the main piece of feedback for your team in every performance review. Do you see a problem or need internally with a customer? Why not try to develop solutions before they assign it to someone else? This shows your willingness to participate, as well as your ability to solve problems and be effective. Your proactive nature will make you stand out from the crowd, and your boss will definitely notice.

8. Don’t take things personally

What happens in the office is not something personal, it is only business. This is especially true when it comes to the feedback your boss gives you. Bosses should give constructive feedback on their work without worrying about hurting your feelings.

If you find yourself taking things personally, you don’t have to react . When you get defensive, you send out a warning signal that there is something to worry about. Instead, take a deep breath and remember that feedback will help you thrive and grow.

9. Understand that decisions are made by the boss

Bosses have to constantly make decisions . Some of these are very difficult, and many of them cannot be discussed in detail with the employees. Most likely, you don’t agree with all of them.  But it is up to you how you react to them.

While it’s okay to ask your boss why they made a decision, acknowledge that you may not have the freedom to share all the details. It’s a good time to take on a positive intention and give him the benefit of the doubt given the set of circumstances he was in.  Making unnecessary judgments can seem childish and even discourage your boss from imagining you in a bigger role in the future.