Impressing and/or Motivating the Aries Boss
The first step is getting your Aries boss’s attention. This will be best accomplished not by periodic gentle memos but by a terse, well-thought-out plan that can quickly penetrate the Aries armor. This should be delivered when the two of you are alone, since taking the chance of embarrassing your Aries boss in front of coworkers is not advised. Do not try to butter up Aries bosses or deliver your spiel in a roundabout or subtle fashion; this will only make them more impatient. Once you have hurled your thunderbolt, it is best to leave them alone for a while, since they will get back to you when ready.
Impressing and/or Motivating the Taurus Boss
Taurus bosses are most impressed by dedication and hard work. Dependability also rates highly. It is not generally strokes of brilliance or lightning successes that carry the most weight for them, but rather the day-to-day smooth running of your department. Avoid being branded as a troublemaker or even as a mover and shaker. It’s best to be the diplomat or peacemaker-the quiet, capable, effective employee. Pragmatic to the extreme, the Taurus boss will want to see solid achievements over a period of time when evaluating your work. This, above all else, will motivate your Taurus boss to offer you a raise or advancement.
Impressing and/or Motivating the Gemini Boss
The best way to impress Gemini bosses, or motivate them to follow your suggestions, is to make them curious. Show them only a tiny bit of what you have in mind and allow them to express interest. Play your cards close to the chest and show what you have only if they are willing to up the ante. Beware: A Gemini boss will often later take credit for your ideas. (A typical scenario: The employee presents his or her ideas. The Gemini boss says: “Gee, I’m glad I thought of that!”) The cleverest way to get Gemini bosses to do your bidding is to subtly plant an idea in their minds by just casually mentioning it and later watch them “discover” it as their own.
Impressing and/or Motivating the Cancer Boss
Cancer bosses can at times be recalcitrant, slow moving, and unresponsive. It is best to attempt to motivate them without needing to impress them unduly. You should concentrate on trying to persuade them that there is some danger in waiting too long to implement a strategy everyone has already agreed on. If there is not yet full agreement, get them to schedule a group meeting within a week. Once Cancer bosses’ emotions are aroused and engaged, they will finally begin to realize the importance of your plans and start to move forward with finality.
Impressing and/or Motivating the Leo Boss
Best to motivate Leo bosses indirectly. Rather than coming right out with a suggestion or urging them repeatedly over time, it is best to plant an idea in their minds casually, in passing, and let it germinate there for a while. Doing this repeatedly will impress them and also give the added bonus that they can take credit for developing and, in some cases, having discovered it themselves. Leo bosses can come to depend on such little offerings on your part and feel the need to keep you around when they are preparing for a big meeting.
Impressing and/or Motivating the Virgo Boss
Many Virgo bosses are impressed by facts, and facts alone. Of course they are also happy to see them in the proper order. Virgo bosses love lists, spreadsheets, agendas, and all structural aids that make your facts more cogent and easy to understand. When presenting facts verbally, keep it brief and never sugarcoat. Remember that Virgos like to make up their own minds about things and do not need you to tell them how great your plans are. Impressing them will motivate them to go that extra mile for you.
Impressing and/or Motivating the Libra Boss
Libra bosses are most impressed by selfless behavior that contributes to the common good of the working group. They are most turned off by selfish or self-aggrandizing behavior or the traditional climbing of the success ladder while stepping on others’ fingers and shoulders. Likewise, Libra bosses can be best motivated by assuring them of the support of the group on certain issues that will benefit management and workers alike. The whole idea of everyone pulling together appeals most strongly to them, often resulting in everyone going that extra mile for one another rather than just working extra hours to fatten their own paychecks.
Impressing and/or Motivating the Scorpio Boss
Scorpio bosses are particularly impressed by efforts that are not made out of a desire for bonuses or other extra rewards, but simply because they are demanded by the work itself on any given occasion. Those who regularly go that extra mile are likely to impress Scorpio bosses the most. Conversely, Scorpio bosses are usually turned off by flamboyant individuals who seek to hog the spotlight and show off their talents. It is often quiet, unassuming employees who succeed in impressing most through their untiring, unselfish, and faithful attitude.
Impressing and/or Motivating the Sagittarius Boss
Sagittarius bosses are best impressed by not trying too hard to get their attention, but producing undeniable results over a period of time. Should they show interest in your work, particularly being curious about the methods you have used to achieve success, feel free to openly share your ideas and approaches with them. If they come to the conclusion that you both are on the same wavelength, Sagittarius bosses will feel confident about your abilities and very well might decide to entrust you with a plum of a project that your colleagues have all been vying for.
Impressing and/or Motivating the Capricorn Boss
Being highly pragmatic and practical, Capricorn bosses are only really impressed with results. Whether these are modest or spectacular is not really most important in the long run, and they actually tend to value steady growth more than sudden windfalls, of which they are a bit suspicious anyway. Capricorn bosses will not really be motivated by your excitement and enthusiasm, instead demanding good, solid arguments to back up your ideas. Once they know they can trust your judgment, they will react positively to your thoughts and be motivated to throw their support fully behind them.
Impressing and/or Motivating the Aquarius Boss
Aquarius bosses are self-motivating and cannot really be pushed in any direction they do not already want to pursue. They can only be truly impressed by your ability to comprehend their quick minds and methods, and to implement their plans immediately. Should they encounter you in a hallway or when they’re entering or exiting the building, they will expect you to keep up with them as far as the elevator (and perhaps invite you to ride up or down with them), listening carefully to their succinct orders all the way. Make sure you write down what they have just said as soon as possible after your short journey.
Impressing and/or Motivating the Pisces Boss
Pisces bosses know that a successful company means increased rewards for everyone, so the best way to impress them is to show how well you work as a team player. Likewise, when the group is meshing well in its endeavors, Pisces bosses will be more motivated to sell products and render services at the highest level of professionalism. When Pisces bosses wander from desk to desk, looking over the shoulders of their employees, they will often begin by inquiring about matters seemingly unrelated to their job in order to put workers at their ease. To impress your Pisces boss you should also adopt the same relaxed, informal tone.
