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Get that raise by showing your boss that you understand his or her position.

Your boss is only human and humans are impressed when other humans identify with them. In putting yourself into your boss's shoes, and showing that you understand his or her issues, you could end up getting that much deserved raise.

The next time you want a raise, try a different tactic. The old saying, "You'll catch more flies with honey than with vinegar," is very fitting here. Instead of ranting on about how valuable you are, show a little empathy instead. Let your boss know that you understand what it's like to be in his or her shoes.

Tell your boss that you know how hard his or her job is and back that statement up with examples of your boss's work ethics. Even if those work ethics are tough to find, come up with something positive about the way your boss runs the show.

Butter up your boss, but do it earnestly; don't do a snow job. Mean what you say. Come armed with clear examples of problems your boss deals with every day like the employees who constantly call in sick, the hard-to-please customers, and the extra hours spent planning the budget.

By showing your boss that you understand his or her job, you are actually showing your potential as up-and-coming management. Especially if you come bearing a few solutions.

Bosses love solutions. An employee who can identify problems and help solve those problems, is a valuable employee. Especially an employee who seems interested in solving the boss's problems. But it will take a role reversal, a walk in the boss's shoes, to truly understand what things are like from the other side of the desk.

Spend a little time reviewing your boss's position. When your boss sees your intuitive nature, he or she may feel you are an employee well worth keeping; an employee who is worthy of a raise. Maybe even a big one.

Learn more about this author, Sheree Zielke.
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