Managing Up: Building Successful Relationships with Your Boss and Higher-Ups

The idea of “managing up” in business can be a bit of a head-scratcher. Some people think it involves picking up the slack for an ineffective boss or trying to take charge of their decisions. Let’s set the record straight: that approach can backfire faster than a poorly executed office prank.

Managing up is about building a productive relationship with your boss and navigating the hierarchy effectively. It’s not about doing their job or becoming the unofficial project manager. Instead, focus on communication, understanding their priorities, and offering solutions to challenges they face. For example, using the Situation-Behavior-Impact (SBI) model can help you provide constructive feedback without stepping on toes. As recommended by the Center for Creative Leadership, being specific about how your suggestions can align with their goals can make a world of difference (source: CCL, “Faculty Insights”).

So, how do you get started? Schedule regular check-ins to discuss priorities and progress. Be proactive in identifying potential roadblocks and come prepared with ideas. This not only shows initiative but also demonstrates that you’re invested in both your success and theirs.

And remember, humor can be a great tool! Lightening the mood can open doors and create rapport. Just make sure it’s appropriate; nobody wants to be the office clown!

Instead, effective managing up involves actively building a positive working relationship with your supervisor and other individuals in higher positions. According to a study conducted by Ladders, a significant majority of professionals (88%) believe that effectively managing relationships with their superiors is crucial for achieving career success. However, the study highlights that the understanding of “managing up” in this context differs from the common perception of the concept.

Rather than attempting to take on the role of your manager’s manager, managing up involves adapting your work style and communication style to better align with your boss. The objective is to collaborate with your manager, rather than oppose them, in order to achieve the most favorable results. According to the Harvard Business Review, professionals should not confine managing up solely to their immediate supervisor.

The key is to establish a positive rapport with your boss in order to collaborate effectively. It is highly unlikely that you will be able to excel in your work if you and your boss have contrasting management styles and are not in sync with each other.

Instead of constantly battling between two different approaches, it is about finding a mutually beneficial solution through giving and receiving constructive feedback, acquiring new leadership abilities, and aligning with the objectives of your manager. Cultivating a positive relationship with both your immediate supervisor and their superior will enhance your efficiency and increase your chances of advancing within your company.

It is important to understand that managing up is not always easy and straightforward. Instead, it requires making compromises and being open to adjusting to each other’s management styles. In other words, both parties need to put in effort and be willing to participate, rather than it being completely one-sided.

It is important to be honest about how you prefer to work, while also being willing to adjust to your manager’s preferred style. For example, if you are used to staying organized and focused on daily tasks, it may be challenging to work with a manager who prefers a more hands-off approach. However, by collaborating and finding a balance between your styles, you can actually work well together.

What does it mean to not manage up?

Instead of attempting to take on your manager’s responsibilities, it is important to invest time in understanding them better. This includes familiarizing yourself with their preferred approach to management and their professional aspirations. Let’s explore some effective strategies for effectively managing upwards.

Engaging in managing up does not include the following actions:

• Engaging in secretive actions or bypassing your boss to intentionally cause trouble for them
• Sucking up and trying to gain favor with the boss
• Attempting to fulfill the responsibilities of your manager because you believe they are incapable of effectively performing their job
• Taking over the responsibilities of ineffective managers by closely overseeing their work and making sure tasks are properly handled
• Trying to shape a new supervisor into a different person than who they truly are
• Attempting to offer guidance and suggestions to enhance your manager’s career

The key point to keep in mind is that managing up does not involve attempting to take over your manager’s role or responsibilities. Rather than replacing your manager, effective managing up entails striving to collaborate with them in a cooperative and harmonious manner.

You are probably reading about this because on some level you have concerns. Are you satisfied with your supervisor’s managerial skills? What are the reasons behind your satisfaction or dissatisfaction? Would you like to establish a more collaborative relationship with them instead of facing constant conflicts? If your answer is yes, then it’s time to acquire the skills to effectively manage up in your organization.

Find out how your boss likes to manage and communicate

To begin, it is important to understand how your boss likes to approach and delegate work tasks, as well as their preferred method of communication with the team.

What is the significance of this?

In order to have a harmonious relationship with your boss, it is important to understand and be familiar with their preferred approach to handling tasks and situations. This doesn’t imply that you should imitate their style, but rather be aware of and open to it.

Understanding your boss’s management style can greatly facilitate your collaboration with them. Instead of having to speculate about how your manager will respond to different situations, you will likely already have prior knowledge.

However, it can be challenging to discover your boss’s work preferences. This is especially true if you don’t have many opportunities to interact with your manager and observe their management style.

Below are some suggestions for understanding your manager’s preferred approach to handling business situations:

• Pay attention to your supervisor throughout the day to determine the periods when they are the most occupied and focused on their work.
• Take note of their preferred method of communication with employees. This could include whether they frequently use emails or if they prefer to have direct conversations with team members individually.
• What is their communication style like when interacting with employees – do they tend to be passive, passive-aggressive, or assert
• Are they more inclined to adopt a hands-off approach, or do they frequently engage with staff by walking around the office or chatting with them?
• Once you have gained a strong comprehension of your manager’s preferred methods, it is essential to turn your focus inward and contemplate your own personal preferences.
• How do you prefer to communicate? Are there any ways in which your communication style is similar or different from that of your manager?

When you begin adapting to your manager’s preferred approach instead of resisting it, you will be able to align yourself with their goals. It is important to not only understand your boss’s objectives but also the main goals of the entire organization. This involves communicating with your boss’s superiors and other executives to identify the most urgent issues that your business is facing.

Establishing a routine of regular one-on-one meetings with your manager is a beneficial practice to keep them informed about your progress. It is important to inquire about their preferred frequency of reporting to avoid appearing overly assertive. For instance, if they prefer checking in every 2 to 3 weeks, it would be wise not to insist on weekly meetings. Additionally, it is advisable to ask your manager about their preferred method of conducting these meetings, whether it is face-to-face, via email, or through a video chat platform such as Zoom.

Developing emotional resilience is also crucial when it comes to effectively navigating your relationship with your manager, even if you have a good rapport with them. It’s important to acknowledge that disagreements will arise, and there may be instances where you’ll need to find a middle ground. However, it’s equally important to not simply abandon ideas that you strongly believe in.

It is important to remember that managing up does not mean always agreeing with your manager. There will be situations where you need to assert your viewpoint and stand your ground, while still maintaining a calm and respectful approach.

If there is a project that your boss wants to pursue but you believe it will divert attention from the organization’s main objectives, it is important not to stay quiet. Express your disagreement with your boss in a calm and rational manner, providing your reasons for your perspective, and be willing to listen to their feedback.

Engaging in occasional debates with your boss will not harm your working relationship but rather strengthen it. By confidently expressing your beliefs and participating in a respectful debate, you demonstrate that you are not someone who simply agrees or gives in easily. This will ultimately benefit your relationship with your boss in the long term and earn you more respect.

However, it doesn’t mean you should never consider your manager’s ideas. There may be situations where it is necessary to accept their suggestion, but it is important to exercise caution and judgment in such cases.

Make an attempt to familiarize yourself with your boss. If you find that your boss’s objectives and motivations are unknown to you, it is important to make an effort to understand them, even if it feels uncomfortable.

Fortunately, building a relationship with your boss doesn’t have to be uncomfortable or challenging. It can be as easy as approaching their office and expressing your desire to make a significant contribution during your time there. Recognizing their extensive experience in the industry, you can politely request a meeting to discuss their objectives, past experiences, and accomplishments.

By using this wording, you are shifting the responsibility to them, and you are not being intrusive or prying. Moreover, they will probably feel complimented that you view them as an expert in their field, which will benefit you.

It is important for managers to encourage their direct reports to take initiative and not rely on constant instruction. Being proactive is highly valued, particularly when it comes to acquiring new skills and offering assistance to others.

For instance, if your boss is struggling with a difficult project, don’t hesitate to proactively offer your assistance. Instead of waiting for them to ask for help, speak up and offer your support as soon as you notice that they are lagging behind.

Taking initiative and being proactive is beneficial for acquiring valuable skills. Many times, employees rely on their managers to present them with opportunities for a new role or further training.

One effective method to make a positive impression on any manager is to enhance your education and training without them having to ask or urge you.

It is important to be genuine and true to yourself. People dislike individuals who constantly agree with everything and lack authenticity. To achieve success in managing your relationship with your boss, it is crucial to be genuine. Being honest is always beneficial in these professional connections, especially when you have strong opinions about certain matters.

It is highly discouraged to pretend that you are completely satisfied with an idea when deep down, you have legitimate objections or concerns about it.

It is advisable to disregard office politics as they rarely result in positive outcomes. It is best to steer clear of favoritism, gossip, and aligning oneself with specific individuals when dealing with superiors. Strive to treat all individuals fairly, particularly those who report directly to you.

When you are in a work setting, it is important to maintain a professional demeanor in order to prevent personal emotions from interfering with your objectives.

Attempting to manipulate your boss in order to achieve personal gains is not a fruitful approach. Genuine relationships based on honesty and authenticity always surpass artificial ones. It is advisable to steer clear of actions such as excessive flattery, providing misleading information, and engaging in gossip about fellow colleagues.

In conclusion, managing up does not involve taking on the extra workload of your manager or attempting to bypass their authority. It also does not entail criticizing their actions or constantly complaining about their habits.

Instead, managing up refers to actively building a positive professional relationship with your supervisor. This involves taking the time to understand them, acknowledging their flaws, and adapting to their preferred approach to managing.

When executed effectively, the act of managing up can bring advantages to all members of your organization, making it a valuable endeavor.