If you're in a work situation where you have a strong, positive relationship with that supervisor or boss above you, congratulations. While it definitely does happen, this is not always the case for many of us in our jobs.

Good relationships with a supervisor require effort on your part, but it's effort that pays dividends. Studies have shown that one of the most important things affecting someone's job performance, stress levels, and overall job satisfaction and happiness is the relationship they have with the person above them.

Your work relationship will usually improve when you take...