YOUR boss is the second most important person in your career, second only to yourself. Like you, he has ambitions, aspirations, and dreams. Some he will achieve, others he won't. Some bosses are good managers, others bad, but most fall somewhere in between.

The relationship you develop with your boss is the key to your success in an organisation. If your boss enjoys your presence, trusts you, values your work and appreciates your contributions to the organisation, you're well on your way to success. If your boss doesn't like you, no matter how good your work is, or how well your colleagues get along with you, your career will go nowhere. Forming a good relationship with your boss is a complex business. It does not mean becoming a 'yes' man, or groveling at his/her feet.

Here are a few guidelines to help you manage this relationship.

Get to know the person

Take the time to get to know your boss. It pays dividends to learn what your boss likes and dislikes, and then adapt what you do to suit his personality and management style, particularly in those sensitive situations, such as asking for a pay rise, promotion or additional training. How does your boss like to communicate? Through e-mail, voicemail or an informal chat when you drop by his/her office? Does your boss prefer formal meetings or spontaneous discussions? Does your boss require the whole story, brief highlights, or quick report and documentation ready if needed? Does he/she prefer to see things on paper before committing him/herself? Asking yourself these questions should help you plan a successful approach.

Gain his confidence

You should give your boss the feeling of confidence that you're a team player and you want to be the one he or she can depend on to make his or her job easier. Keep your boss posted of what's happening, rather than take action without permission and regret later. Know your position in the organisation and stay within it. Your boss has the final say. So, you should try to figure out what your boss's goals are, then help him to reach those through your contributions. Don't go over your boss's head, or steal glory from your boss. Respect communication channels set by your boss. In return, you will win his/her confidence.

Help solve problems

Think of yourself as a troubleshooter and work to solve problems that fall within your boss's areas of responsibility. So, although your accomplishments will be seen as your boss's accomplishments, and you may not get the credit you deserve, your boss will value your ability to make him or her look good.

Express your views

If you have ideas express them, especially if you think they will help the organisation and your boss. Your boss does want to know what you think, even if it is not in agreement with what he or she is thinking. If you have any disagreements with your boss, express them politely, giving cogent explanations for your way of thinking. Your boss may or may not accept your point of view, or even acknowledge it, but he or she will know you have an independent mind that can be called upon when needed.

Avoid boasting

Lay stress on getting work done than on getting noticed. If you are managing a team, you may wish to give your boss a regular progress report, highlighting any significant achievements, as this can reflect on your leadership skills, but avoid boasting. Any self-promotion needs to take place in an appropriate context, such as during an appraisal or one-to-one meeting with your boss.

Be accountable

Bosses value employees who take responsibility, follow things through and meet deadlines. If you do this, you will get noticed. When you succeed take credit. But when you fall short or make a mistake, be ready to take the blame.

Know your job, inside out, and if necessary put in extra time to work things out, then present options to the boss, who decides if any changes in policy or procedures are needed.

Face the flak too

As a newcomer you should be willing to learn. If your boss criticises your performance, your approach to your work, or even your personal style or demeanour, take this as a learning experience — your boss genuinely wants you to succeed. Be sure you understand the point of criticism, ask for specific examples, and then work out ways to improve.

Show commitment

Don't take time off except for real illness or emergencies. Avoid idle gossip and office chitchat. Be proud of your contribution to the overall success of the company you work for. Anticipate your boss's requirements and complete your work ahead of time. Be ready to help a fellow employee or newcomer without having to be asked to do so.

In short, you need to become a good employee to get along with any boss. The type of an employee everyone would like to have work for him or her.

Value your relationship with your boss. You don't have to be good friends to work well together. You just need to work well together.

The writer is a noted career consultant