Have you ever noticed that in every workplace, there’s a select group of people who seem to have an edge. You know the ones. Those who consistently receive recognition, secure faster promotions, and land high-impact projects?

It’s easy to chalk that up to luck or being well-connected.

But what if I told you their success often hinges on something much simpler...mastering the art of making a great impression on their boss, without ever appearing to try too hard.

Looking good in front of your boss isn’t about constant flattery or working overtime to prove your worth.

It’s about playing a smarter game by leveraging subtle strategies that fly under the radar but deliver major results. And the best part? These strategies are actionable and attainable for anyone willing to adopt them.

​I’ve coached 1,147 women to achieve faster promotions and level up into senior roles with confidence in just a few short weeks. Now, I’m pulling back the curtain on the 3 key ways to shine in front of your boss to position you miles ahead of your peers.

Here’s how.

3 ways to look good in front of your boss

1. Anticipate your boss's needs before they ask

Being a step ahead is the name of the game.

What separates peak performers from the average is that they don't wait for their boss to tell them what they need to do. They play an active role in this together.

Anticipating needs shows foresight, initiative, and that you’re invested in the bigger picture, not just your own to-do list. The result? You get trusted with bigger projects and higher-visibility opportunities.

→ Scan what’s ahead: Look at upcoming projects, deadlines, and meetings. Identify possible roadblocks and opportunities, then share a quick action plan with your boss.

"I noticed the client presentation is next Friday. I’ve already outlined some key talking points, identified a few data gaps, and put together our next 3-6 month roadmap for them."

→ Solve recurring problems: If you see the same issue coming up, proactively propose solutions.

"We keep losing 2 days waiting on approvals for this kind of project. What if I draft a pre-approval checklist to speed things up? It can help us gain efficiencies at this key point in the process."

→ Lighten their load: Draft emails, prep meeting agendas, or create briefing materials they’ll need before they even ask.

"I went ahead and drafted the Q3 update email so you can review it when it’s convenient."

Pro tip: Learn your boss’s top priorities and align your work with them. Ask questions like “What’s your biggest pain point right now?” or “What’s the biggest obstacle to hitting X?”, and then schedule quick check-ins to stay aligned.

Over time, this positions you as both a problem-solver and someone they can rely on to anticipate, adapt, and deliver without micromanagement.

[Check out my free LinkedIn Learning nano-course Nano Tips to Fast-Track Your Career]

2. Communicate results, not just efforts

Your boss cares about the tangible impact you make, not just the time or effort you put in. By emphasizing results over processes, you show that you’re focused on driving value.

→ Frame your updates around outcomes, not just inputs of your work: This will remind your boss of the impact you're driving daily, not just task execution.

Instead of: "I spent the week analyzing data reports."
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Say: "My analysis revealed insights that will increase efficiency in [X process] by 15%. I'd like to walk you through my findings and recommendations in terms of next steps."

→ Use metrics and data to back up your success: It's hard to deny facts. The more you leverage them, the more it builds your credibility with your boss. Be as quantifiable as possible as it makes your achievements more concrete.

Instead of: "The campaign performed well."

​Say: "The campaign exceeded our engagement target by 25%, driving 1,200 additional sign-ups versus our initial goal."

→ End your emails or conversations with clear, actionable next steps: This keeps momentum going and shows that you’re thinking ahead while having ownership in your role.

Say: "Based on our latest results, I recommend moving forward with strategy [X] to capitalize on recent market trends."

When in doubt, ask your boss what kinds of updates they prefer to receive instead of reading their mind. It will avoid a lot of unnecessary frustration for you both.
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This is also key as you begin a new role to set the right precedent right out of the gate, just like our client. Not only did she land a $330K new job offer within just 8 weeks of working together (that was a $100K raise for her 🤯), she's already setting the right approach with her boss from day 1.

3. Showcase your problem-solving skills in real time

Nothing builds trust faster than being the person who can think on their feet, stay composed, and resolve issues quickly, especially when stakes are high.

The last thing your boss needs is another problem dumped on their desk with an unspoken “your turn.” Instead, position yourself as a solution-oriented ally who comes prepared.

→ Arrive with options: When an issue comes up, present 2-3 possible solutions, their pros and cons, and your recommendation.

"We’ve run into a delay with vendor delivery. We can switch to our backup supplier at a slightly higher cost but immediate shipment, renegotiate expedited delivery with a risk of missing 2 days, or split the order across vendors to meet partial deadlines. I recommend option 3 because it balances cost and timing best."

→ Stay calm in a crisis: Your tone and clarity matter as much as your plan. Calm, concise communication reassures your boss and earns you the reputation of being the steady hand when things get messy.

"Here’s the situation, here’s the immediate impact, and here’s what I’m doing to address it. We’ll have a resolution within 24 hours."

→ Close the loop: Once resolved, share lessons learned and how to prevent repeat issues.

"To avoid this in the future, I’ve mapped out a new process that shortens approval time by 48 hours. Here’s how it works."

​One of my clients did exactly this after a critical work incident. Instead of waiting for her boss to act, she stepped in with multiple solutions, implemented the best one immediately, and kept leadership updated. The issue was resolved faster and she received formal recognition from senior leadership for her initiative.

You've got this!