Be an Impact Player in Your Workplace
In today's fast-paced and competitive work environment, it is essential to not only do a good job but also make a significant impact. This is when the skills of managing up and making an impact become extra valuable. When combined, these two concepts can empower you to contribute meaningfully to your work, organisation, and overall professional growth. In this blog, we will explore how you can take the first steps to manage up effectively and make an impact in your apprenticeship.
Defining Managing Up: Managing up is the process of optimising your relationship with your immediate manager for maximum productivity. It involves habits that build trust, being proactive, and adapting to changing circumstances. It is about taking ownership and solving problems before they escalate, and effectively communicating your needs and boundaries with your manager. By managing up effectively, you can position yourself as an impact player. Building a strong relationship with your manager allows you to gain support, guidance, and resources to implement impactful ideas.
The Difference between a Contributor and an Impact Player: Contributors do a good job, fulfil their assigned responsibilities, and wait for direction. On the other hand, impact players go above and beyond by proactively problem-solving and taking initiative. They trust themselves to set things in motion and create an environment of collaboration and innovation. With this in mind, think about whether you’re a contributor or an impact player at your job.
Understanding the Factors that Influence Perception: Perception plays a vital role in how your work and impact are perceived by others. Factors such as social identity, power structures, and visibility can influence how your work is acknowledged and valued. It is important to communicate your impact effectively to stakeholders and create visibility for your accomplishments.
The Importance of Trusting Yourself and Problem Solving: Managing up requires trusting yourself to solve problems and taking ownership of your personal development. It means being proactive, adaptable, and malleable in the face of challenges. Rather than waiting for direction, impact players actively seek solutions and seize opportunities for growth and innovation.
Reflecting on Your Impact: Take a moment to reflect on a time when you have been an impact player. How did you proactively problem-solve and make a difference? Consider the impact you made, the stakeholders involved, and the outcomes achieved. Recognise the value of your contributions and how they have shaped your professional growth.
Planning for Impact: Moving forward, it is essential to plan for impact in your work. Identify the problems you want to solve, align them with your company goals, and understand the key stakeholders involved. Determine what needs to be done and what actions you will drive to create a significant impact. Collaborating with others, setting boundaries, and delegating when necessary can help you streamline processes and achieve better results.
Managing up and making an impact is a skill set that is highly valued in today's work environment. By proactively problem-solving, taking initiative, and trusting yourself, you can create a direct impact on your work and organisation. Recognise the power structures and societal factors that may influence the perception of your work, and focus on communicating your outcomes effectively. Embrace the opportunity to be an impact player and unlock your full potential for success!
Do you have any experience managing up? Share it in the comments below. Or even better, write a blog for the Community Hub by filling out this form! The points in this blog were covered in the Making an Impact workshop . You can find the full event recording here.
See our full Managing Up Guide here.
This blog was curated by the Multiverse Community Team.