Vertical politics are relations with superiors and subordinates. They are the most important persons with whom to develop effective relations. To be successful, honor relationships and commitments. Your relationship with your boss will affect your job satisfaction and can mean the difference between success or failure on the job. Needless to say, you should develop a good working relationship with your boss. Doing so is also called managing your boss and leader–member exchange (LMX) theory

Don’t try to change your boss. Analyze your boss’s style and preferences, and if necessary, change your style to match his or hers. For example, if your boss is very businesslike and you are informal and talkative, be businesslike when you are with your boss. Remember, people generally like people who behave like themselves, and being liked can lead to career advancement.

Knowing your boss can lead to better human relations between the two of you. It is helpful to know your boss’s primary responsibility, what your boss regards as good performance, how your performance will be evaluated, and what your boss expects of you. So get feedback from your boss to make sure you are on the same page.

Your boss will expect loyalty, cooperation, initiative, information, and openness to criticism. If you have done something that makes your boss look bad or in some way hurt your relationship, such as breaking any of the above expectations, you need to earn back his or her trust to reestablish your good working relationship. Your boss can give you poor evaluations and make your life miserable.

In developing manager–employee relations, you should follow the guidelines to human relations. You should strive for harmonious relations where questions and differences of opinion are encouraged and settled in a peaceful manner. Don’t forget to give more praise than criticism. Use your power wisely. Remember, your success as a manager depends on your subordinates and teamwork. If you want employees to meet your expectations, create a win–win situation.