How to Earn the Boss's Trust in a Crisis

The phone rings. It's the boss and there's a crisis. Now's your chance to shine -- or be permanently relegated to the scrap heap. What should you do?

Here's what:

• Be prepared to give solid advice on the spot. "I'll get back to you" is the kiss of death.
• Give the boss options, not just your preferred idea. Bosses like to have options and make decisions. They don't like being told what to do.
• Tell the boss things they don't already know. Duh!
• Be prepared to outline next steps.