Building a Strong Working Relationship With Your Boss

For New Managers

Purpose

This guide supports newly promoted or hired managers in building a trusted, professional, and aligned working relationship with their boss during the first 90 days.

Core Principle

Your success as a manager starts with your relationship upward.

Part 1: Establish the Working Agreement (First 30 Days)

• Initiate a conversation about how you and your boss will work together.• Clarify mutual expectations, priorities, and leadership preferences.• Define decision rights and levels of authority.

Key Questions to Ask Your Boss

• What does success look like in this role?• What are your top priorities for me in the next 90 days?• Where do you want visibility versus autonomy?• How do you prefer feedback and updates?

What to Share With Your Boss

• Your leadership style• How you prefer feedback• How you raise risks or concerns

Part 2: Build Credibility Through Execution (Days 31–60)

• Deliver consistently and close loops.• Provide concise, relevant updates.• Surface risks early with possible solutions.

Part 3: Earn the Right to Influence (Days 61–90)

• Introduce ideas strategically and aligned with your boss’s priorities.• Ask for perspective before proposing solutions.• Reinforce trust through discretion and reliability.

Common Pitfalls for New Managers

• Trying to change too much too soon• Assuming authority equals influence• Over- or under-communicating• Neglecting the relationship with your boss

Reflection Questions

• Does my boss trust my judgment?• Am I aligned with their priorities?• Am I managing up effectively?