12 signs your boss is impressed with you, even if it doesn't seem like it

• The signs that your boss likes you aren't always immediately obvious.
• Managers may try to avoid appearing like they have staff favorites.
• You can keep an eye out for subtle clues that your boss thinks you're great.

The signs that your boss likes you can be quite subtle.

But it's crucial to definitively establish that your manager is on your side. Getting along with your boss is a pretty important part of succeeding at work. Your manager likely controls whether or not you get promoted, demoted, or fired, after all. Your job is in their hands.

Some bosses make their appreciation clear. They heap on the praise, give positive and detailed feedback, and make you feel like you're an integral part of the success of the organization.

But not all managers are so open.

It's always good to ask for honest feedback. Before you make inquiries, though, here are a number of signs that your boss probably is pretty impressed with your work:

SEE ALSO: 22 signs your boss secretly hates you

DON'T MISS: 11 signs your boss is passive aggressive

SEE ALSO: 8 signs your boss is undermining you

They give you tough love

Suzanne Bates, CEO of Bates Communications and author of "All the Leader You Can Be," told Business Insider that it can be difficult to figure out whether or not your boss likes you.

"A boss who sees you as promising may give you a lot of feedback, not all of it positive — some of it might be 'tough love' because he or she sees you as someone who can handle it and is ready for more responsibility," she said.

They challenge you

If you're feeling a bit overwhelmed at times, then that might not be a terrible thing.

"The boss will probably give you more than you feel you can handle at times, not because he or she is trying to punish you, but because they want to test you on tough assignments," said Bates.

They share your priorities

"Ask your boss what his or her top priorities are and put up your hand for challenging assignments," said Bates. "Give the boss a chance to see you in action, especially on a project important to him or her, so that they can see what you're made of."

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