Aries: Be Direct (21 March-21 April)
The dynamic Aries boss knows how to motivate and lead his teams. Be careful not to detonate his explosive temper, which fortunately doesn't last long.Requesting a pay increase: With him, it is easy to know when it's not the moment as he makes that clear. Otherwise walk up to him and do not hesitate to talk numbers.Personal matters: OK, he has a bad temper, but he has a good heart. If you want to talk about your private life, he will listen and understand that you are less focused if your mother is sick, etc. However, if you mention a problem with a colleague, prepare to put everything on the table.Asking a favour: Do not hesitate, play it fair and do not waste his time. "I need to leave early this Friday, does that work for you?" is sufficient sans the why and how.Asking him to listen: There are two rules: be concise and avoid personal outpourings, they terrify him!
Taurus: It's give and take (April 22-May 21)
The best (and worst) quality of a Taurus boss is his incredible work force. He is not the type to let you do all the work but as he gives his 100%, he hardly understands that you need a personal life or leisure time.
Requesting a pay increase: Come armed with your (good) performance results, with some facts and figures. They need to be concrete so your Taurus boss can justify your request.
Personal matters: Definitely not when he is eating: his mealtime is sacred! If you have lunch together, wait until the coffee or dessert comes. Asking a favour: There has to be something in it for him, some sort of compensation. You want to take the afternoon off? This will come out of your hours the following week.Asking him to listen: He must know in advance that you want to talk to him, to prepare emotionally. Taureans need to be useful so clearly state what you expect from them.
Gemini: Be humorous (22 May - 21 June)
He is filled with ideas and jokes alike, he is easy to communicate with and overall, a Gemini makes a nice manager. Yet sometimes they appear lost, scattered, restless and, frankly, rather tiring.Requesting a pay increase: You may have to ask several times because he quickly forgets and he hates the paperwork as much as the calculations bore him.Personal matters: Accessible, attentive and curious, Geminis will always want to know what is going on in your life, down to the smallest details.Asking a favour: If he hums, whistles, seems in love, go for it! You will easily get what you want.Asking him to listen: Text messages, emails, please contact him via technology. Then, maintain his interest aroused with a good sense of humour.
Cancer: Dare to be emotional (June 22-July 22)
Everything is taken emotionally by Cancers. The Cancer boss shows his human side even in the driest situations. His main flaw is mood swings and sudden sulks.Requesting a pay increase: Acknowledge his feelings and do not forget to thank him with sweets, cakes or sweets.
Personal matters: Easy, when the door is open, go ahead. Cancers are curious by nature. Closed door? Find another time to do it.Asking a favour: Explain long and wide and describe as best as you can how you will be reaaaallllyyy grateful towards him if he helps you out. It works every time.Asking him to listen: Man or woman, Cancer is intuitive. It is him who will ask you what's wrong. Always add an emotional note.
Leo: Know how to flatter! (July 23 - August 22)
The brilliant Leo boss likes success and victory, hence the huge investment aimed to achieve success and esteemed reputation. He is also proud and capable, and is seldom wrong (or so he thinks).Requesting a pay increase: After a successful endeavour, it is the right time. He can't refuse any request. Success makes him generous.Personal matters: Not when he is overwhelmed (and he often is), rather the morning before the workday starts, over a round of coffee.Asking a favour: Leo likes to give rewards, so prove that you deserve one!Asking him to listen: Always start with a compliment, you will see how suddenly he is all ears.
Virgo: Make an appointment (August 23 - September 22)
Honest, rigorous, organised... With a Virgo manager, you always know where you are going. Everything is clear, clean and precise. Unfortunately, he can also be fussy and ultra critical, and he is not the kind to pick and choose his words carefully.Requesting a pay increase: Prepare your arguments point by point, list everything you have done, otherwise you will be entitled to his well-known verse: "The times are tough."Personal matters: He is uncomfortable with the emotions of others, so keep your personal hassle to yourself, unless there is a health problem (which Virgos like). And if it is to criticize a colleague, that works too!Asking a favour: The Virgo boss is not generous in money nor in time. Tweak your arguments accordingly.Asking him to listen: No need to try when he is focused on his papers or glued to the computer. Make an appointment so he has time to prepare. He hates the unexpected.
Libra: Communicate! (23 September - 23 October)
The Libra boss loves teamwork, harmony, communication and world peace. A saint? Not exactly: he is as stubborn as a mule. When he has decided, it's not easy to get him change his mind.Requesting a pay increase: A Libra needs you trust him completely for him to be generous. The late afternoon is usually best for his mood, but forget the mornings!Personal matters: Open up, he is a good listener if you need empathy. He'll love to give you advice on what to do.Asking a favour: Do not abuse your requests, Libras do not like the idea of favouring one person at the expense of the rest of the team.Asking him to listen: Ask beforehand, by text or email, if it's a good time to talk and the answer will always be positive.
Scorpio: The night owl (October 23-November 22)
Scorpio bosses have a phenomenal work drive and dazzling intuitions. Though sometimes he deals with unwarranted anxieties and questions everything (including what has already been decided and done), complicating the lives of his employees.Requesting a pay increase: Try your luck at night. The more he stays late at the office, the better.Personal matters: He's curious and you can trust him with your secrets.Asking a favour: He does not like it... unless he offers his help! Be smart and get the message subliminally, unless of course there is a real emergency.
Asking him to listen: "I know I can trust you," is the magic phrase that will capture their attention. Choose night time over daylight.
Sagittarius: Do not beat around the bush (23 November-21 December)
Capricorn: No jokes allowed! (22 December-20 January)
Professional, rigorous, and a strategist, the Capricorn boss also has a 'human' side attached to his rigid mannerisms.Requesting a pay increase: Prepare yourself and argue point by point, and be patient because the Capricorn will take time to reflect before giving you a square answer.Personal matters: He hates personal things. Plan what you want to say so that it can eventually bring you a solution. If it's just for a chat, you have not chosen the right person.Asking a favour: Again, prepare yourself in advance, otherwise the Capricorn will tune you out. Please the jokes, they don't go well with Capricorns.Asking him to listen: He listens more than he speaks and he can keep a secret, so you can trust Capricorns. Approach him in the morning so you have time to digest the information.
Aquarius: It takes time (January 21-February 19)
A fan of trendy new technologies but not fond of hierarchies, the Aquarius boss is a modern boss. Though he can sometimes seem absent, leaving us wondering to ourselves if he is really there.Requesting a pay increase: There isn't really a good time, just be ready to return to him with the same request several times. It will then take more time for him to grant your wish, and then more time for him to make the necessary changes.Personal matters: As long as it's not about money, he is all ears and ready to support you.Asking a favour: If it's more free time that you want, it will be OK to negotiate for a change in schedule or even team.Asking him to listen: He will never be 100% with you, he will be multitasking on his computer or iPhone as you talk. Do not go into too much details as he also knows very well how to pretend he's listening. Send him a recap by email at the end of the meeting.
Pisces: Reveal everything ! (20 February-20 March)
Here's a very sensitive boss with dazzling intuitions and amazing inspirations. His fault: well, he is very sensitive ... and not always well-organised!
Requesting a pay increase: He often forgets verbal requests so after talking to him, play on his heartstrings and send several email reminders.Personal matters: He is not complicated and is accessible at all times. Pisces has a reassuring human side. You can lay everything out on the table and it will end in humour.Asking a favour: Gifted with a great empathy, he is understanding without need for compensation in return.Asking him to listen: Pisces is naturally all ears and can absorb the emotions of others. However, needless to overwhelm them with pages filled with numbers, send them by mail instead.
