4. READ YOUR BOSS
Knowing your boss's personality and business style is also helpful to tailor your delivery accurately. If your boss is a swift decision-maker, do not serve up idle chatter, but rather, get to the point and give your alternatives so he/she can make the decision. On the other hand, if you have a boss who makes decisions slowly and likes to socialize, then go with the flow. But be gently firm and leave him/her with your thoughts and schedule a follow-up session.
Only you know your boss best, and while some bosses are totally inscrutable, try to pick a style that you think will work well with their personality and modus operandi. Picking a time when your boss is in a good mood never hurts, regardless of what he/she is like. Science has proven that Happy bosses give raises more often than Grumpy bosses. (The jury is still out on Sleepy, Dopey, Sneezy, and Bashful bosses.)
