Know your boundaries. Your boss is always your boss, no matter how well you get on or how much they value your opinion.

Always remain professional and remember that they are in a position of seniority to you. Don't offer advice unless asked.

Make it personal. Ask after the little ones and lesser halves, but keep within polite parameters.

Careful answering back could be taken as witty repartee and disagreeing as a brave challenge, but approach both with caution.

When a work crisis erupts, ride out the panic before sharing it with the boss. They expect solutions not problems, so turn it around.

See also Office Etiquette

See also Getting Ahead

• Share online