Everyone has had a job where they’ve worked like a dog, but perhaps none so much as pet adoption and welfare advocate Wendy Diamond, author of the brand-new book How to Train Your Boss to Roll Over. Diamond has spent a lifetime observing animals, and has discovered that you can practice many of the same training techniques on your boss and coworkers that you use on your dog. Here are three easy tricks that lead to a more successful career.
1. Use the right commands.
Dogs happily respond to certain words and shy away from unfamiliar words spoken in a negative tone, Diamond says. If your boss surprises you for a mid-afternoon meeting, use welcoming commands like “have a seat” and “stay”—even if you’re furiously working on a deadline. If you say something like “I don’t have time right now,” you risk looking disrespectful and aloof.
2. Mark your scent.
Canines leave their signature scent in places to mark their territory. Diamond doesn’t recommend leaving your actual scent—please don’t pee on anything—but rather, establishing your distinctive style of getting things done and doing them the right way. Volunteer for tough assignments, complete projects on time, and make sure your advocate for your work. Your “scent” will be what your boss associates with your work come promotion or raise time.
3. Play the name game.
Frequently using your dog’s name is essential for good training, says Diamond. The same goes for your manager. Consider the difference between, “Dave, where would you like me to put these files?” and, “Here are those files,” or, “Dave, I’m sorry I can’t attend that meeting,” versus “I won’t be there.” In the first example, using your boss’s name shows him respect, and in the second, it softens the blow of a negative answer. Plus, research shows that people’s brain’s light up more when they hear their own names, suggesting you can earn more trust and attention when you get a little personal.
via Train Your Boss Like a Dog | Men’s Health News.
Train Your Boss Like a Dog
