Many employees do not care too much for their bosses or supervisors. It is an all too common trait. Most feel as though the boss knows nothing, has a superiority complex, is arrogant, is unapproachable, expects too much and pays too little. Are you nodding your head?

Having stated all of the above, what are YOU doing to improve the situation? You see the boss or supervisor did not get to where he or she is by being a complete nincompoop. Oh, I can almost hear some people saying: "Yeah, but you don't know MY boss!"

Let's face a little bit of stark reality. Your boss or supervisor, for whatever reason, has ascended to a position that you probably aspire to. They must have at least some endearing qualities. Sure, they probably have faults too. You do. So do I. Hey! We all have faults.

I know that there will be some people who will be rolling their eyes and thinking: "Yeah, but..." Yeah but what? So what if your immediate boss is the CEO's ungrateful, lazy son or daughter whose greatest claim to fame is nepotism. You don't have to work there. Maybe you do. So why not make yourself useful? Why not make that person look good? The CEO will know where the results are coming from. The CEO knows everything. That is why he or she is the CEO.

So, having cleared that path, how do you put yourself in line for a pay rise or leadership promotion?

Before we commence, here comes a big tip right up front. Be positive. Nobody likes a negative, whinging complainer - except, of course, other negative, whinging complainers. If you are prone to this awful trait then stop it. Start reading some PMA (Positive Mental Attitude) books. A good general source of this information would be "The Magic of Thinking Big" by David Schwartz. If you want to track it down the ISBN locator is 0-671-64678-8.

So, first and foremost - be happy. Put a smile on your face. That is a champion start.

Idea # 1 - Start work fifteen minutes early. Better still, stay back fifteen minutes after "knock-off" time - when the boss is far more likely to notice. Don't make a big show of it or comment on your dedication to the cause. If asked just say you are finishing something up. You don't have to do it every night. Two or three times a week is enough to be noticed. Not only that - you will get a lot done and have your station tidied up for the next morning.

Here is something for you to think about. Observe how other employees utilize their last half-hour of the day. Are they watching that clock? The clock strikes the designated time and zoom - mass exodus. Don't stand in the way of the rush or you will be trampled. Think like the boss. Would you enjoy seeing that?

Idea # 2 - Volunteer for things. Bosses and supervisors are often under pressure themselves. Sometimes they need a person to do a little task for them. Usually when a volunteer is asked for most of the assembled crowd will busy themselves doing a menial chore, look the other way or offer excuses why they couldn't possibly offer themselves.

Watch people under these circumstances. It is pathetic to see. You can easily stand out from the rest of the crowd by being the "go-to" person. You don't always have to volunteer. If you do it too often you could set up resentment among other workers. That is a natural defensive mechanism they will use to cover their own lack of initiative. Idea # 3 - Give freely of your time while you are at work. Too many "workers" do as little as they can. They shirk responsibility. They work slowly. They attend to personal matters during working hours. By giving a strong performance at work you will be noticed.

Don't be afraid to work through an occasional lunch or tea break. Offer to help another employee with a task that they find confronting. You don't have to stand over their shoulder. Just let them know that they can come to you if they are uncertain. Be helpful. It will be noticed.

Idea # 4 - Suggest things. Some of the greatest innovations in business have come from staff members. Can you imagine how you would be viewed by the owner of the business if something that you suggested earned the company an extra $100,000 per annum, or saved the company money or time?

Be an "ideas person." It's easy. Think about your job. How can it be handled better? How can you streamline the operation? Are there any areas where you could cut wastage? There are numerous areas where you could offer a bright suggestion. But only do it when you have thought your proposal through, made some notes and believe that you have something valuable to share.

Idea # 5 - Take responsibility for outcomes. Too many people blurt: "It wasn't my fault!" Bosses like to hear: "How can I fix it?"

The way of the world is to feign responsibility, find somebody or something to blame, look for compensation for ridiculous claims and generally take no responsibility for anything even if they were the prime culprit. Don't be like that. It is pathetic. Ask: "How can I improve the outcome?"

Idea # 6 - Strive to get on with other staff members. I cannot stress this strongly enough. Often, it is the differentiating factor between two otherwise equally talented people. If you try to get along with people you will get along with them. If you find every little fault in people you will always be disappointed with them. Find things to be complimentary of.

Every workplace has its menagerie of "toxic" people (see my article on "Hannibal Lecter" personalities for more information), rumor-mongers, drama-queens, back-stabbers and assorted slackers. That's life.

They are the six ideas.

Having presented them let me temper my remarks by saying this: DO NOT set yourself up as the workplace "brown-nose." That is, do not be, or be seen to be, a sycophant. There are ways to achieve all of my proposals in a subtle yet recognized manner.

If you approach these things in the manner that I suggest then next time your workplace review comes up, or a promotion is in the offing, guess who will be shining like a lighthouse? If you are over-looked the first time, or even the second time, don't lose faith. Your time will come. But it will never come unless you are prepared to show the effort FIRST. Sow and ye shall reap is a biblical principle which still holds true today.

There is an ocean of negative, under-performing, under-achieving, whinging, whining, blameful, resentful, complacent employees out there. Your goal is to prove to your boss or supervisor that you are not one of them.