Greasy pole

It's good to talk Get into the habit of informal chats with your boss. It keeps him or her abreast of issues and gives them feedback, so they can tell their bosses how well things are going. It also means they can sniff out problems before they explode – and from your point of view, it's handy to be able to say: "Remember, I told you last week …"

Flattery gets you everywhere This doesn't mean congratulating your boss on a task that could be done by a drunken wombat but the occasional good word helps to build bridges.

Bosses are human too A lot of jobs can leave people feeling isolated and individuals who can empathise with their boss can make life a lot easier for themselves.

Some managers are insecure; is your boss threatened by your education, your accent, your creativity, your looks? Identify problem areas and avoid them. Meanwhile, remember bosses have bosses to please too. If you understand your boss's tasks and help him or her achieve them, you'll have a lot more focus in your working life. But don't seek bosom buddy status – if it comes to the crunch, your boss will be the one who sacks you.

Don't bother your boss Do your job with the minimum of fuss and your boss will leave you alone.

Seek guidance Bosses are paid to give support, so ask them something and listen to the advice. It makes them feel good, you'll understand their thinking – you might even learn something.

Solve problems Any manager will be extremely chuffed with anyone who puts a problem and solution in their in-tray at once.

Seek extra work If you can take responsibility for small parts of your boss's tasks, you will gain extra experience and your boss will be exceedingly grateful.

Stay calm The more unpleasant type of boss will rarely think twice about asking you to do ridiculous things. Such people can provoke you to lose control, but extreme politeness is the best armour.

Manage bad managers Be proactive in coping with a boss who isn't very good at their job. Check their instructions, double-check information, and triple-check their intentions.