What interests my boss...

... fascinates me (I'm sure you already knew the end of that phrase).

I'm not sure who that quote is attributed to however, it always fascinated me from the first time I heard it (pun intended).

 

This topic came to mind when I read this interesting translation of a Bible verse that I have read several times:

Proverbs 27:18 - As workers who tend a fig tree are allowed to eat the fruit, 

so workers who protect their employer’s interests will be rewarded. (NLT*)

 

Now that is a very deep verse with these nuggets:

1. You will be "allowed" to eat the fruit of the fig tree you have tended - where you have invested time not where you have wasted time. No one ever gets paid by an organization other than the one they work in/for. And those who are time-wasters, are usually found out eventually
2. The quality of the fruit you get to eat, is a direct reflection of the quality of your work. In other words, it will be unreasonable to expect good things from a company that you do bad things to. You also should not expect good things from those you say bad things about; Prov 18: 20-21**
3. Since you are rewarded for protecting your employer's interests, you need to know your employer's interests and the current priorities in order to "protect" and possibly promote them. 

So how do you set about uncovering what interests your boss?

That's easy - ASK! Yes A.S.K.

• A - Allocate time for regular 1:1 conversations with your boss. This is a time for not just sharing what you are working on but for asking him/her what is top of mind for him/her
• S - Spend time with your colleagues in your team/department/unit and in other teams and see what you can learn from each other and how you can support them with your work
• K - Know what the overall company's goals, objectives, strategy are and ensure that you understand how the work you do supports and/or ties into their accomplishment

These are not necessarily easy steps to take but I can assure you that being proactive this way will put you in a place where your boss "has your back" because he/she is confident that you also have his/her back.  It's a reciprocal relationship. Even Jesus our Ultimate example had that and said:  

"The One who sent me is with me. I always do what pleases Him. So He has not left me alone."***

 

I agree that there may be times when what fascinates your boss does not align with your understanding of the company's goals, objective and strategy. So what should you do then? A.S.K.

 

• A - Ask for clarity on the exact purpose of the task
• S - Seek out alternative ways to do the expected task in a way that it meets the objective
• K - Know when it is time to say, respectfully, that you do not think this will meet the company's goals and commit to help come up with a solution that will address whatever the matter may be; this could include seeking out resources from other teams to help

Whatever you do, always strive for a win-win...and your reward will come. 

 

References:
* New Living Translation
** Proverbs 18: 20 - 21 - ²⁰ Your words can be as satisfying as fruit, as pleasing as the food that fills your stomach. ²¹ The tongue can speak words that bring life or death. Those who love to talk must be ready to accept what it brings. (Easy-To-Read Version)
***  John 8: 29 - ERV - Note that Jesus has been rewarded**** for protecting His "Employer's" interests and that is one of the reasons why we celebrate Easter - as we're doing today.

 
****Philippians 2: 6-11 - ⁶ He was like God in every way, but he did not think that his being equal with God was something to use for his own benefit. ⁷ Instead, he gave up everything, even his place with God. He accepted the role of a servant, appearing in human form. During his life as a man, ⁸ he humbled himself by being fully obedient to God, even when that caused his death—death on a cross. ⁹ So God raised him up to the most important place and gave him the name that is greater than any other name. ¹⁰ God did this so that every person will bow down to honor the name of Jesus. Everyone in heaven, on earth, and under the earth will bow. ¹¹ They will all confess, “Jesus Christ is Lord,” and this will bring glory to God the Father. (ERV)