4 Ways to Impress Your Tough New Boss

4 Ways to Impress Your Tough New Boss4 Ways to Impress Your Tough New BossWhen youve just landed a new boss, you naturally step your game up- clocking in a few minutes earlier, proofreading emails an extra time, and digging your most professional clothes out of the back of your closet. And this goes a long way- for some bosses.Others, though, are impossible to impress by design. Theyve taken a page from the tough teacher handbook, and they intend to be strict and avoid smiling until springtime when theyll soften up (just a bit).So, if your new manager falls in this category, what else can you do to show him or her what a smart, capable, and well, impressive, employee you are? Try these tricks.1. Try it Her Way From departure to FinishA personnel change- especially at the management level- often means there will be some new approaches. And while you may think arguing that theres no room for improvement in the way you currently do things will demonstrate how efficient you are, it actua lly comes off mora like Sorry, boss- I dont think the time it would take to try it your way is worth it. (And who would be impressed with that employee?)So, shelve the phrase, thats how weve always done it, and next time the boss suggests a new approach to something, focus on responding positively. Ask relevant questions, take bedrngnises, and execute the task in accordance with his or her new game plan.Really, its a win-win. If the new strategy works, youve successfully completed a project under your hard-to-please boss watchful eye. And if it doesnt, youve still proven youre open to innovation (and the next time you push back on something, he or she will know that its not because youre deckenfries in your ways).Related New Boss? 3 Ways to Let it Inspire You2. Share Institutional KnowledgeThat said- dont confuse being open to change with silencing your opinions. A new boss is relying on your know-how, and his or her plan to try new ideas doesnt negate your past experience. In fact, its the combination of your experience and this fresh perspective that will make your team the most successful.So, if your boss is walking into an issue youve already encountered, speak up. The trick here is to position your point of view not as I know and you dont, but as helpful insider info. Try using a specific situation youve encountered in the past, followed by a helpful out. For example, I remember we once scheduled a board dinner after a meeting, and not many members stuck around. Thats when we decided to shift the social events to before the meetings. Would it be helpful if I floated a few different times by key members? Youll impress your boss with your insight as well as your diplomacy.Related Giving Feedback to Your Boss- Like a Boss3. Fake it Until You Make ItJust as performers picture people in their underwear to get over stage fright, you need to master pretending that your new boss likes you. Why? Because if you spend every minute in the office in a paranoid frenzy, youre not only going to psych yourself out, but youll also be distracting yourself from what you should be focusing on- your work.As flaky as it sounds, you need start imagining that your boss likes you and acting accordingly. Before you go into a meeting, visualize him or her nodding and giving you positive feedback. Those good feelings will make you speak more confidently and smile more, which will in turn help you make a great impression.Related How to Get Over the Feeling That Youre Not Good Enough for Your Job4. Ask for Critical FeedbackPerhaps youve tried everything Youve done a great job of trying new things, youve been helpful by building on the old ones, and youve calmly and confidently walked into every important meeting. In fact, no matter how many times you sit back and evaluate your job performance, you cant figure out why your new boss always seems dissatisfied. Now what?The best thing to do is schedule a meeting with your new boss, and ask for direct feedback Now tha t weve been working together for a few weeks, Id love to get your feedback on what is working well- and what isnt. Asking your boss to identify your areas for improvement forces him or her to take an inventory of your work as whole- including everything youre getting right. Moreover, if theres something specific youre doing wrong, youll know. And, the sooner you do, the sooner you can make a change.Related Taking Constructive Criticism Like a ChampYou want to feel great about what youre doing every day, especially to your boss. So dealing with a tough one can be, well, tough. But arm yourself with these strategies above, and your boss will be on your side in no time.Photo of women working courtesy of Shutterstock.