It can be a slippery path buttering up your boss. We have all seen it done to extreme and quite frankly it is sickening to watch another employee go overboard to treat the boss like God.

It is rewarding when the boss is intelligent enough to know when he/she is being the object of the ultimate suck up. Yet, if done just right, you can sneak the slippery buttering up in before the boss knows what hit him or her.

The first key to buttering is to treat the boss with the respect which he or she does deserve. They did get that position somehow. They do have the pay and the power to prove that they are the boss. So, show them respect. Don't automatically call them by their first name until you are invited to do so. Using Mr. or Ms. with their name shows you are admitting your place in the food chain. They are above you.

Always listen to them because they love to talk. If you agree, praise them for their wonderful insight. If you don't agree, focus on what you do agree on and then gently give your two cents worth.

Don't forget that the boss is human. They like praise too even if they are stingy giving it out at times. Comment on the cute picture of his/her kids on their desk. If you are ordering takeout for lunch, ask the boss if he/she wants to be included.

Basically it boils down to respect, listen, praise and show a kindness here and there without going overboard. Remember you want to just spread a little butter on, not drown him/her in it. A well-buttered boss is a happy boss and happy bosses result in happy employees. prei

Learn more about this author, Deborah C. Washington.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

---

Add your voice

Know something about How to butter up your boss?
We want to hear your view. Write now!