For years many have asked me for keys to success in business. I’m sharing a few secrets I’ve learned along the way. Manage your relationship with your boss, before your boss has to manage you.

1. Communicate Clear And Often
2. Create Solutions, Not Problems
3. Make Requests, Not Complaints

Instead of looking at management from the traditional role, try looking at it as managing up. Managing up will make your boss's job much easier while demonstrating you are more than capable and pleasant to work with.

Bosses are tire of having to manage, if you manage your relationship with your boss great things will come. You will level up quicker and have a great relationship built off of trust and competence.

Communicate Clear And Often: Be the initiator, pick up the phone and keep your boss in the loop. When you initiate, it communicates that you care. When you don’t, it could communicate that you’ve checked out. Remember, YOU CANNOT NOT COMMUNICATE!

Create Solutions, Not Problems: There will inevitably be problems, those whose find solutions are bringing real value. Be optimistic and look for ways to improve. Be proactive and solution-oriented. WHERE THERE IS A PROBLEM THERE IS AN OPPORTUNITY!

Make Requests, Not Complaints: Complaining is easy, most people do it. It’s also exhausting and leads to a downward spiral. Instead of complaining, identify what you need and why and ask for it. Make a clear request that makes your job easier and your boss’s job easier. Don’t put others in position to have to guess what you need. ASK AND IT SHALL BE GIVEN!