The Art of Managing Up

3:23 Minute Read

In the workplace, we often focus on our ability to manage those who report to us. But what about managing up? Managing up is the art of working effectively with and influencing your superiors to build a positive and successful working relationship. It's essential to see managing up as a crucial soft skill that can help everyone perform at their best.

Establish Open Communication:

Clear and open communication is the foundation of managing up. Regularly schedule one-on-one meetings with your supervisor to discuss goals, expectations, and any pertinent updates. Use this time to gain feedback, seek guidance, and share your insights.

Understand Their Priorities:

To effectively manage up, it is crucial to understand your supervisor's priorities and goals. Take the time to align your objectives with theirs, ensuring that your work contributes to the overall success of the team and organization. By demonstrating how your achievements align with their vision, you establish yourself as a valuable asset and gain their support.

Anticipate Their Needs:

Going the extra mile to understand your supervisor's needs and challenges enables you to address them proactively. Be attentive to their preferences and work style, adapting your communication and deliverables accordingly. By anticipating their needs and providing solutions before they arise, you demonstrate your proactive thinking and commitment to their success.

Seek Feedback and Act on It:

Actively seek feedback from your supervisor to gain insight into areas where you can improve. Constructive criticism is an opportunity for growth, so be open to receiving it and act upon it diligently. Show your commitment to professional development by implementing their suggestions and continually refining your skills to meet their expectations.

Support Their Success:

Managing up is not solely about your growth - it involves supporting the success of your supervisor as well. Offer your assistance and expertise when appropriate, helping to alleviate their workload or provide value-added insights. Investing in their success creates a mutually beneficial relationship built on trust and reciprocity.

Be Solutions-Oriented:

When faced with challenges, strive to offer potential solutions rather than presenting problems to your supervisor. This proactive approach demonstrates your critical thinking skills, problem-solving abilities, and commitment to finding resolutions. By taking the initiative in problem-solving, you relieve some of the burdens from your supervisor, positioning yourself as a reliable and resourceful team member.

Advocate for Yourself:

While it is essential to support your supervisor, you should also advocate for your professional growth. Communicate your aspirations, goals, and development needs to your supervisor. By clearly articulating your ambitions, you open the door for opportunities for advancement and growth within the organization.

You can develop a symbiotic relationship with your superiors by establishing open communication, understanding their priorities, anticipating their needs, seeking feedback, supporting their success, being solutions-oriented, and advocating for yourself.

When it comes to managing up, it's crucial to understand that it's not just about being obsequious or trying to please your boss at all costs. Instead, it's about building a strong and mutually beneficial working relationship based on trust, open communication, and shared goals.

To achieve this, it's essential to take the time to understand your manager's priorities, communication style, and work preferences. 

This involves:

• Actively listen to and act upon their feedback.

• Seeking out their input on critical decisions.

• Making an effort to anticipate their needs and expectations.

At the same time, it's vital to be proactive and assertive in your own right, taking ownership of your work and demonstrating your value as a team member. This means being willing to speak up when you have ideas or concerns, taking the initiative to solve problems, and consistently delivering high-quality work that meets or exceeds expectations.

Managing up is about balancing support and independence.

You must be proactive assertive, and consistently demonstrate your value as a team member. Be bold and speak up with your ideas or concerns, take the initiative to solve problems, and deliver high-quality work that exceeds expectations.

Your career advancement and the success of the work environment depend on building a solid relationship with your manager through trust and achievement.

Cultivate a balance of support and independence by owning your work and managing up with your manager.

You are a valuable asset, so assert yourself.