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Contact this writerKissing Up to Your Boss is Common Sense
It all depends on how you define "Kissing Up" doesn't it? Job markets are highly competitive these days and if you need your job to support your family or to meet your financial responsibilities, you'd better be prepared to "go the extra mile" now and than.
Keep in mind, there are acceptable ways to do this and there are unacceptable ways. This is the part that is just common sense. Chances are your boss is an intelligent person, that's why he/she has the position they have. They recognize immediately those who are sincere and those who are not. Those who use "Kissing Up" as a way to get by without putting a lot of effort into their work will be noticed rather quickly by bosses who are on their toes.
Let's talk about what is acceptable and even necessary to make those extra "points" with your boss. These are the things that really decide how quickly you will get ahead at your work place.
Some things go without saying, but let's spell them out anyway. Attendance and punctuality. Those who are always late or feel it's ok to take time off from work, cost a company money. This will show up on evaluations and will be reflected pay raises, no doubt about it. That is how it should be. Good grooming is also essential and important as to how likely you are to advance.
Do your work as accurately and as efficiently as you can. Be thorough. If you make a mistake, admit it and correct it. Most of us do make errors now and than, trying to deny or cover-up these errors only makes them worse. Take responsibility for what you do.
Keep your demeanor appropriate for the type of work place you are employed at. A nice personality and an even disposition will make you more enjoyable to work with.
If you are asked to work overtime, and you can do it, you should. It shows many good points about you that your boss will take notice of and appreciate. It shows you are a team player, that you feel loyalty to the company, that you care about your work and how it reflects on you and your boss.
Some people, mostly those jealous of your success, may say that you do these things to "Kiss Up." I call it having a good work ethic.
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The doggone headline is too definite. Kissing up is not an absolute must. There are also degrees of kissing up, from literally sensually kissing the boss to just offering a little verbal flattery at the right time.
I'm long retired now, so no one should suspect the identity of the person I'm discussing here. For 25 years, I was the boss of a division of 40 people at a large financial firm. Of course, I experienced all kinds of employee tactics to get favors, promotions and salary increases. Even though I could confess now, I don't believe I fell for any of the situations where kissing up was successful with me.
Along with that confession, I don't remember ever an occasion when I ever tried kissing up to a higher-ranking executive during my business and military career. However, thinking it over now in my sunset years, I wonder if I had tried kissing up with the right person at the right moment, maybe my monthly pension check would be considerably higher.
One of my employees, who started in my division in a clerical job, had become an executive by the time I retired. We worked together for about 15 years, and all her promotions were due to my recommendations. She was a high school graduate when she was first employed, but completed her requirements for a bachelor's degree during her rise through the ranks.
At the chance of sounding sexist, I can recall she was very pretty, in a quiet, dignified way. As a normal male, I appreciated that, but never ever made any improper gesture. Not that I was so moral. The company had strict rules about it, and I just didn't want to lose my job. Hmmm, there were a couple of young ladies along the way, and I was sorely tempted.... but maybe that's an entirely different story.
The problem with this young woman, if it was actually a problem, was that she disliked me. No, actually she hated my guts. I don't know if it was my personality, my religion or what, but in her own subtle way, there were times when she considered me her enemy. Of course, she thought she was an expert in keeping it hidden, and she never did anything overt to sabotage me as her boss, but I knew.
Maybe there were moments when I thought about confronting her, passing her on to another division or finding reasons to fire her. However, those moments passed quickly because she was by far the most creative and industrious employee in the division. Whatever task she was given, she did with total dedication. As she was being promoted up the line, she made sure all employees who reported to her did their work right and on time. We were a deadline-driven division, and this young woman was priceless for getting jobs in right, on time and within budget.
Within a year before I retired, I made sure she was in line for another promotion. By that time, we were equals in rank, and that next move made her an executive. It was a bit ironic that she, now outranking me, presided at my retirement ceremony. I can tell truthfully that in all the years I knew that woman, she never kissed up to me nor anyone else. She simply let her work speak for her. Enough said?
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