The way your boss walks, talks, even the pen they use could hold the key to your career success according to employment specialist group Sanderson Recruitment.

“They say imitation is the sincerest for of flattery and so it is in the workplace”, maintains Mike Beesley, Chairman of top IT employment specialists Sanderson Recruitment.

“Subtle aping of your manager’s mannerisms, thinking and even foibles can help you get ahead. They are more likely to promote someone who mirrors their characteristics, than a staff member who behaves in an entirely different way.”

Mr Beesley advises workers to watch your boss like a hawk. He maintains if they possess a tidy desk, make sure your is tidy. If they are fanatical about turning up on time, make sure you turn up on the dot. If they are always very smartly turned out, it stands to reason they will favour those who look smart too.

He added: “The workplace is now ultra-competitive and you should seize any opportunity to get ahead.”

However the key word here is subtlety, warns Mike Beesley: “Workers should be very careful about imitating their bosses. Exaggerated imitation can come across as parody and a self-promotion campaign can end in an embarrassing dressing down, an official warning, even a dreaded P-45.”

He concludes: “Remember you can imitate their ways, but always be yourself. This is crucially important if you or your boss moves on. You don’t want to end up behaving in ways that are inappropriate in a new workplace or for a new boss.” (AMcE)