How to foster a positive and sustainable work dynamic with your manager?

Let's be honest: the relationship with his manager maybe a real lever... or a real headache. When it works, everything works: you feel supported, motivated, recognized. When things go wrong, the smallest difficulty becomes a mountain.

So how to put all the chances on your side to create a dynamic that lasts? No need for big theories, but rather good daily reflexes. As pointed out by Isabelle Hastings, RPS & QVCT consultant at Qualisocial :

“Building a positive and sustainable work dynamic with your manager is based on a relationship of trust, clear communication and shared goals.”

1. Dare to communicate regularly (and not only in case of problems)

Waiting for it to get stuck to speak is the best way to create voltages. Share your progress, challenges, and needs in real time, even briefly.

And above all, remember that communication is two-way. Take the time to understand what matters to your manager: his priorities, his constraints, his style. It avoids misunderstandings and discrepancies.

A weekly or monthly point may be sufficient. The important thing is consistency.

“Regular communication makes it possible to anticipate tensions and create a climate of transparency”, insists our consultant.

2. Putting our cards on the table about expectations

There's nothing worse than working in a blur. You think you did well... but the result is not what your manager expected? Frustrating for everyone.

Do not hesitate to ask for clear feedback, to check the goals, deadlines and success criteria. And for your part, express your needs: more autonomy, more resources, more present support. It is better to put things clearly than to let them fester.

3. Play the trust card

Trust is built on a daily basis. And it is based on three simple pillars:

• Keep your commitments,
  
  
• assume your mistakes,
  
  
• to speak the truth.

Solving a problem is good. Presenting it with a possible solution is even better: your manager will see that you are looking to move forward rather than block. And believe it, it makes a difference.

“Reliability and transparency are key ingredients for strengthening the relationship with your manager”, recalls our expert.

4. Saying thank you (it seems obvious, but we forget it all too often)

We often expect our managers to recognize our efforts. But The reconnaissance, it works both ways. A simple “thank you” for a helping hand, or putting forward a useful decision, it changes the mood.

And when success is collective, share it! It reinforces cohesion and reminds us that no one moves forward alone. It's simple, but extremely effective.

5. Work as teammates, not as opponents

The manager is not only there to control. It can also be a strategic ally, a sparring partner. Involve him when it's relevant Suggest ideas, Dare to challenge habits.

In short: get out of the pure hierarchical schema. You will gain in complicity, fluidity and efficiency.

6. Think long term (and not just the “to do” of the week)

The manager-collaborator relationship does not only take place on a day-to-day basis. Talk about your desires for evolution, your development projects, your training needs. Your manager is not a fortune-teller: give him keys to help you.

And above all, keep an eye on the balance between performance and well-being. Saying stop overloading, respecting your rest periods, taking care of yourself... that's also building a sustainable dynamic.

“Maintaining a positive dynamic means thinking as much about the short term as about the sustainable development of the relationship”, underlines our consultant.

Creating a positive dynamic with your manager is not waiting for it to come from him, it is a shared responsibility. Communicate regularly, clarify, build trust, value recognition, work as a team and think for the long term : here is the recipe.

What if it wasn't just a good working relationship, but a real win-win partnership?