You're having trouble getting your boss to see your value. What can you do to change that?
As a 3D graphics artist, you have a unique set of skills and talents that can bring your projects to life. But sometimes, you may feel like your boss doesn't appreciate your work or understand your value. Maybe they don't give you enough feedback, recognition, or opportunities to grow. Maybe they micromanage you, criticize you, or ignore you. Whatever the case, you don't have to suffer in silence. Here are some tips on how to change your boss's perception of you and showcase your worth.
One of the reasons why your boss may not see your value is because they don't know what you're aiming for. Maybe they think you're happy with your current role and don't want to take on more responsibility or challenge. Maybe they don't realize how much you care about the quality and impact of your work. To change that, you need to communicate your goals clearly and regularly. Tell your boss what you want to achieve, what skills you want to develop, and what projects you want to work on. Show them that you're ambitious, passionate, and proactive.
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Every company worth their salt will tell you that you need to have goals, and have you fill out some form of goals or annual review or something. You're wasting your time if you think that's all you have to do, hoping you'll be see. Take it from someone who did that. Hope is not a tactic for advancement. If you really want to succeed, move forward, you need to network like Casanova, and talk with your boss, and maybe even talk with their boss (if your company has things like skip levels). Your boss is not a mind reader (unless you're in a very specific industry), so they won't know exactly what you're trying to do if you don't communicate that clearly. Be brave, and have that conversation. Future you will be proud.
Another way to make your boss see your value is to show them the results of your work. Don't just tell them what you did, but also how it benefited the project, the team, or the company. Use numbers, metrics, or testimonials to back up your claims. For example, you can say how much time or money you saved by using a certain tool or technique, how much traffic or engagement you generated by creating a stunning visual, or how much feedback or praise you received from clients or users. Make sure to document your achievements and share them with your boss regularly.
Sometimes, your boss may not see your value because they don't have enough information or insight into your work. Maybe they're too busy, distracted, or disconnected to notice what you're doing or how you're doing it. To bridge that gap, you need to ask for feedback frequently and constructively. Don't wait for your boss to come to you, but initiate the conversation yourself. Ask them what they think of your work, what you can improve, and what you can do to help them or the team. Listen to their suggestions and act on them. Show them that you're eager to learn and grow.
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Feedback is a gift. Good feedback. Bad feedback. And especially "bad" feedback. Here's the thing. Good feedback is nice, makes you feel goo, but your haters are going to show you where you're weak. Sure they do it mean spiritedly, but they do you a great service, mean spirited or not. Take that "feedback", take your miscues, take the "bad" and study it. Have that honest conversation with yourself, and then quietly make the adjustments to your game to put you in a better position.
Another factor that can influence your boss's perception of you is the quality of your relationship with them. If you have a good rapport with your boss, they're more likely to trust you, respect you, and support you. If you have a poor rapport with them, they're more likely to doubt you, dismiss you, or overlook you. To build a better rapport with your boss, you need to show interest in them as a person, not just as a manager. Find out what they like, what they care about, and what they struggle with. Compliment them on their strengths, thank them for their help, and empathize with their challenges. Be friendly, respectful, and professional.
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Revisit the goals initially set for you and gauge how your current performance and achievements stack up against that. It is possible that the organisational goals may have changed during this time and your goals need to be realigned accordingly. It is important to communicate with your manager and obtain clarifications on what in his/her opinion is lacking in your contributions. Repeat the exercise of revisiting the goals initially set for you with your manager and how that needs to improve/change to meet the needs of the organisation. Continue to have this conversation and seek feedback at more regular intervals moving forward.
One more tip to make your boss see your value is to stand out from the crowd. Don't just do what everyone else is doing, but go the extra mile and do something different, creative, or innovative. Showcase your unique skills, talents, and perspectives. For example, you can suggest a new idea, solve a problem, take on a leadership role, or learn a new tool or technique. Show your boss that you're not just a follower, but a leader, a thinker, and a maker.
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