5 Steps to Managing Up Successfully

Creating a positive work environment that fosters personal growth requires effective communication and productive relationships between you and your manager. This is where managing up comes into play! 

So, what is managing up? Managing up means optimising your relationship with your immediate manager to maximise productivity.  It does not mean being a "yes person" to your manager all the time.

Here are 5 key steps to taking your managing up skills to the next level:

1) Building Trust and Clear Communication: Trust and clear communication are crucial for a successful working dynamic. Regular update meetings and check-ins promote transparency, alignment of expectations, and teamwork. By proactively sharing progress, seeking feedback, and openly discussing concerns, you can establish trust and collaboration with your manager. This fosters a strong foundation for a productive relationship.

2) Setting Expectations and Boundaries: Managing up involves setting clear expectations and establishing boundaries. Expectations define the outcomes, goals, or results that both you and your manager anticipate in your working relationship. They can include performance expectations, deliverables, timelines, and quality standards. Boundaries, on the other hand, outline the limits and guidelines within which your professional relationship operates. This can include boundaries around work hours, communication preferences, decision-making authority, and personal/professional limitations. Aligning expectations and setting boundaries not only ensures clarity but also creates a healthy work environment.

An example of this could be when you clearly communicate the timeline and deliverables of a project to your manager and ensure that both of you are on the same page regarding the desired outcomes. By having these conversations upfront, you can avoid misunderstandings and work towards a common goal.

3) Proactive Approach and Problem-Solving: Proactivity is a key aspect of managing up successfully. Instead of simply bringing problems to your manager, offer potential solutions and take ownership of the situation. This demonstrates initiative and problem-solving skills, positioning you as a valuable asset to your managers and the team. Taking the lead in identifying areas where your skills can make a meaningful impact fosters a positive and growth-centred professional relationship.

Let's say you identify inefficiency in a process that is impacting productivity. Instead of just highlighting the problem to your manager, you can take a proactive approach by researching potential solutions and presenting them along with the problem. This shows initiative and problem-solving skills, making your manager more likely to view you as a trusted and reliable team member.

4) Effective Feedback Loop: Feedback should flow both ways! Managing up involves providing upward feedback to your managers, as well as receiving feedback from them. Constructive feedback helps managers understand your needs, preferences, challenges, and professional aspirations. Additionally, recognizing and appreciating managers' positive attributes strengthens the relationship and creates an environment of mutual respect. Regular feedback exchanges contribute to personal growth, professional development, and workplace productivity.

5) Contextualizing Challenges and Solutions: Each workplace is unique, and managing up requires adapting challenges and solutions accordingly. Identifying specific areas where guidance, resources, or support are needed is crucial. By framing concerns within the context of your manager's objectives, you can highlight the value you bring to the table and discuss potential solutions collaboratively. This approach shows your ability to understand and contribute to the larger goals of your team and organization.

Imagine you are facing a challenge with a client and need additional resources or guidance. Instead of simply stating the problem, you present it in the context of your manager's objectives, such as how resolving the issue aligns with the organizational goal of providing exceptional customer service. This shows that you understand the bigger picture and are actively seeking solutions that benefit both the team and the organization.

Managing up is an ongoing journey that requires continuous learning, adaptability, and open-mindedness. By managing up effectively, you can establish yourself as a valuable asset within your organisation and unlock your career potential!

Do you have any experience managing up? Share it in the comments below. Even better? Write a blog for the Community Hub by filling out this form. The points in this blog were covered in the Managing Up: The Role of Your Manager workshop. You can find the full event recording here.

Find our full Managing Up Guide here. 

This blog was curated by the Multiverse Community Team.