Managing up is the art of influencing your boss and other senior leaders in a way that benefits both you and the organization. It is not about sucking up, manipulating, or flattering, but rather about building a productive and respectful relationship based on mutual trust and understanding. Managing up can help you advance your career, increase your visibility, and gain more support for your ideas and projects. In this article, I will share some tips and strategies on how to manage up effectively, and provide at least three examples of successful cases.<\/p>\n
The first step to managing up is to know your boss. This means understanding their goals, priorities, preferences, communication style, and personality. You can do this by observing how they interact with others, asking them for feedback, and soliciting their opinions and advice. By knowing your boss, you can align your work with their expectations, anticipate their needs, and avoid potential conflicts or misunderstandings.<\/p>\n
The second step to managing up is to communicate effectively. This means keeping your boss informed of your progress, achievements, challenges, and concerns. You can do this by sending regular updates, asking for input, and sharing relevant information. You should also tailor your communication to your boss’s style and preferences. For example, some bosses may prefer concise and factual reports, while others may appreciate more details and stories. Some bosses may prefer email or text messages, while others may prefer phone calls or face-to-face meetings. By communicating effectively, you can demonstrate your value, build trust, and foster collaboration.<\/p>\n
The third step to managing up is to deliver results. This means meeting or exceeding your boss’s expectations, delivering high-quality work on time and within budget, and solving problems creatively and proactively. You should also seek feedback from your boss and other stakeholders, and use it to improve your performance and skills. By delivering results, you can show your competence, reliability, and initiative.<\/p>\n
The fourth step to managing up is to support your boss. This means respecting their authority, following their directions, and backing up their decisions. You should also offer help when needed, provide constructive feedback when asked, and acknowledge their contributions and achievements. By supporting your boss, you can show your loyalty, respect, and appreciation.<\/p>\n
The fifth step to managing up is to challenge your boss. This does not mean contradicting them or undermining them, but rather offering different perspectives, ideas, or suggestions that can help them achieve their goals or overcome their challenges. You should do this respectfully and diplomatically, with evidence and logic to back up your arguments. You should also be open to feedback and criticism from your boss, and be willing to compromise or change your mind if necessary. By challenging your boss, you can show your creativity, courage, and growth mindset.<\/p>\n
Here are some examples of how managing up can benefit you and the organization:<\/p>\n
– Example 1: Alice is a marketing manager who works for Bob, the director of marketing. Alice knows that Bob is very busy and has a lot of responsibilities. She also knows that Bob values innovation and creativity in marketing campaigns. Alice manages up by sending Bob weekly updates on her projects, highlighting the results and impact of her work. She also pitches new ideas to Bob regularly, showing him how they can help the organization reach new customers or increase sales. Alice also supports Bob by taking on some of his tasks when he is overwhelmed or traveling. As a result of her managing up skills, Alice earns Bob’s trust and respect. Bob gives Alice more autonomy and responsibility in her work, as well as more opportunities to showcase her talents to senior leaders.<\/p>\n
– Example 2: David is a software engineer who works for Emma, the product manager. David knows that Emma is very detail-oriented and likes to have a clear plan for every project. He also knows that Emma values collaboration and feedback in product development. David manages up by keeping Emma informed of his progress and challenges in coding the product features. He also asks Emma for input on design decisions and user testing methods. David also supports Emma by helping her with documentation and presentations for stakeholders. He also challenges Emma by suggesting new features or improvements that can enhance the user experience or solve customer problems. As a result of his managing up skills, David earns Emma’s appreciation and recognition. Emma gives David more flexibility and freedom in his work, as well as more access to resources and training.<\/p>\n
– Example 3: Lisa is a sales manager who works for Frank, the vice president of sales. Lisa knows that Frank is very ambitious and likes to set aggressive targets for the sales team. She also knows that Frank values honesty and integrity in sales practices. Lisa manages up by communicating with Frank regularly about her sales performance and pipeline. She also shares with Frank the feedback and insights she gets from customers and prospects. Lisa also supports Frank by following his sales strategy and guidelines faithfully. She also challenges Frank by proposing new ways to reach or retain customers, such as offering discounts, incentives, or referrals. As a result of her managing up skills, Lisa earns Frank’s admiration and confidence. Frank gives Lisa more influence and authority in the sales team, as well as more rewards and recognition.<\/p>\n
Managing up is a vital skill for any professional who wants to succeed in their career and contribute to their organization. By following the five steps of managing up, you can build a positive and productive relationship with your boss and other senior leaders. You can also enhance your reputation, visibility, and impact in your work. Managing up is not easy, but it is worth the effort.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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