The Power of Y.O.U. and Mastering the Art of Managing Up

In the corporate world, managing up is a crucial skill that can significantly impact your career trajectory and job satisfaction. Managing up involves proactively working with your boss to ensure that both you and your boss are successful. By effectively managing up, you can improve communication, align goals, and create a more productive work environment. Many of my clients used these strategies, especially during the onboarding process in the first 90 days. Ultimately, they received excellent performance reviews, salary raises and promotions. Case in point, one senior client who was passed over for a promotion maintained her confidence and positive attitude.  She said to her boss “I think you’re making a mistake, but of course I will remain 100 percent committed to my job”. Three months later her peer that got promoted was fired and she subsequently got his job! 

  Here’s a guide on how to manage up effectively with your boss.

1. Understand Your Boss’s Goals and Priorities

To manage up effectively, you need to have a clear understanding of what your boss values and what their goals are. Take the time to learn about their objectives, challenges, and priorities. This understanding will allow you to align your work with their goals, making you a more valuable team member.

• Schedule Regular Check-Ins: Ask how often they’d like to meet, and use these meetings to discuss your progress, understand their expectations, and align your tasks with their priorities.
• Ask Questions: Don’t hesitate to ask your boss about their objectives and how your work fits into the bigger picture.

2. Communicate Effectively

Clear and effective communication is key to managing up. You need to keep your boss informed about your progress, challenges, and any changes that might affect your work.

• Provide Regular Updates: Keep your boss informed with concise and relevant weekly or bi – weekly updates. This could be through emails, reports, or meetings.
• Be Transparent: If you encounter problems or delays, let your boss know as soon as possible. Offer potential solutions rather than just presenting problems.

3. Anticipate Needs and Proactively Solve Problems

Being proactive shows that you are not only focused on your own tasks but are also thinking ahead about what might be needed. This approach can help you stay ahead of issues and demonstrate your initiative.

• Identify Potential Issues: Look for potential problems before they escalate and address them proactively.
• Offer Solutions: When presenting a problem, also propose potential solutions or action plans.

4. Align Your Work with Their Style

Every boss has a unique management style. Adapting your work habits to align with their preferences can enhance your working relationship and make you more effective.

• Observe Their Preferences: Pay attention to how your boss prefers to receive information (e.g., detailed reports vs. summary emails) and adapt accordingly.
• Adapt Your Approach: If your boss prefers frequent updates, provide them. If they favor a more hands-off approach, respect that preference while ensuring you’re still meeting their expectations.

5. Seek Feedback and Act on It

Regular feedback is essential for growth and improvement. Actively seeking feedback from your boss and showing that you act on it demonstrates your commitment to your role, growth and to improving your performance.

• Request Regular Feedback: Ask for feedback on your performance and how you can improve.
• Implement Suggestions: Show that you value their input by acting on the feedback you receive.

6. Build a Strong Relationship

Building a positive relationship with your boss can make managing up more effective. A strong relationship fosters trust and open communication.

• Show Appreciation: Acknowledge your boss’s support and recognize their contributions.
• Be Reliable: Consistently deliver on your commitments and meet deadlines to build trust.

7. Be Solution-Oriented

A solution-oriented mindset can help you navigate challenges more effectively and demonstrate your problem-solving skills.

• Focus on Solutions: When presenting a challenge, highlight possible solutions and the benefits of each.
• Stay Positive: Maintain a positive attitude, even when dealing with difficult situations.

8. Understand and Respect Boundaries

While managing up involves proactive communication and initiative, it’s important to respect your boss’s boundaries and workload.

• Be Mindful of Their Time: Avoid overwhelming your boss with unnecessary information or frequent interruptions.
• Respect Their Decisions: Understand that your boss has the final say on decisions and respect their authority.

Conclusion

Managing up is about building a productive and positive relationship with your boss while aligning your work with their goals and preferences. By understanding their objectives, communicating effectively, and being proactive, you can create a more collaborative and successful working environment. Remember, managing up is a two-way street—both you and your boss should work together to achieve mutual success.