Become a Boss Whisperer!

By Rebecca Sloan

A Super-sized Salary
When requesting a raise, psychologist and careers expert Suzie Plush (suzieplush.com.au) says the trick is to set it up as a performance review. “If you flag it as a meeting about salary, your boss will automatically be on guard,” she says. Then, organise it for just after you’ve achieved good things for the company. “This way, you can start off by saying, ‘These are some great wins I’ve had recently...’ and let the discussion naturally lead to pay,” she explains.

An Extended Vacay
Putting off approaching your boss about that Paris trip? While it’s tempting to send them an e-mail, Plus says you’ll have more persuasion power face-to-face. That’s exactly what executive assistant Kanika, 26, did. “I wanted six weeks off over New Year, so I set up a meeting with my boss and went in prepared with solutions to problems I thought we might have. There was no reason left for him to say no,” she says.

Permission to Work From Home
If you’re serious about ditching the office, Plush says the key is to avoid talking about how it’ll benefit you (hello, PJs and new colleague Mr Bed), and explain how it’ll be a thumbs-up for your boss and the company as well. “You might point out the fact that you’ll have the ability to do longer hours and that your desk will be freed up for that day,” she says. Another tactic is to suggest a trial period. “This will make your boss more open to the idea, as they know they’ve got an out if they need it,” adds Plush.

A Bigger Role
Research found 66% of women would prefer a promotion to a marriage proposal. Well, ladies, it might involve a similar strategy. Just brochure placed on your guy’s table, your office attitude can give a boss ‘promote me’ vibes. “Show you go above and beyond. Speak up in meetings and volunteer to take on new tasks,” advises Plush.