Starting a new job soon - please give me your advice on developing good relationship with boss

[Anonymous]

I've only had a few jobs and I never started any of them with any thought about my relationship with my boss, colleagues, etc. I've ended up becoming increasingly jaded and don't have the best attitude. I want to go into the new job with a fresh start and positive attitude. In particular I want to have a good relationship with my boss. What has worked for you? What really makes your boss happy? For those of you who are supervisors, what makes you consider an employee a trusted and valuable team member? What do you like to see and what makes you regret hiring someone?

[Anonymous]

The employees I like best are the ones who solve problems instead of creating them. Some people just get their sh*t done, know when to inform me of something/ask in advance and when to just move ahead, manage to stay out of office gossip and rivalries, etc.

I would recommend that when you start you should be a listener until you see how your new boss prefers to work, what the office norms are, etc. Don't try and demonstrate your value by coming in with lots of new ideas--they want you to add value to an existing organization, not resist it or try to change it. (At first--down the road, they will probably welcome your ideas because you'll be able to better tailor them to the environment.)

Also, people may be unsure how to use you at first. Do what you can to get up to speed quickly, always carry a notebook and take lots of notes in meetings, and be ready when they do have things for you to do.

[Anonymous]

I prefer to be around efficient, drama free people, who smile a lot.