This series introduces the importance of managing up and some of the keys to do it successfully. If you would like further information about the full presentation deck, send me an email and let’s talk.
Managing up is an important part of your success toolbox. When you help your supervisor succceed, the organization improves and, ultimately, you will be seen as an asset in that success.
If you missed last week’s post, click here for the series introduction and Part One: Communication.
Part Two: Perspective
To successfully manage up, it is important to see the world from your supervisor’s vantage point. Understanding her perspective on her work and goals strengthens the foundation of your relationship and the way you work together.
I suppose it is obvious that the most critical thing she needs you to do is your job. However, in your day-to-day, be on the lookout for other opportunities to make a positive difference in her job.
- Understand your supervisor’s pressures. What does his manager expect of him?
- If you don’t know, this is a great conversation to have with your supervisor.
- Be sure to ask how you can help.
- Be on the alert for other opportunities to enable your supervisor to act and meet the expectations of his boss.
- Align your work priorities with your supervisor’s
- Make what is important to her, important to you
- Seek opportunities for your work to directly support her priorities
- Speak up (appropriately) if you are aware of situations that compromise those priorities
- Provide solutions to your supervisor, not more problems
- Challenge the process but with a solution-oriented approach
- Offer alternatives to generate deeper outcome-based thought
- Be a positive presence, not an annoying drag
- Know your supervisor’s pet peeves and align your behavior accordingly
- Ex: if your supervisor abhors tardiness, be on time for meetings
- Ex: if she finds music to be a distraction to the productuion floor, keep your radio off even if policy allows it
- If there is a task she just dreads, offer to take it off her plate
It is important to remember that you are not trying to change your boss’s perspective or how your boss works. Instead, understand his perspective and seek ways to complement it.
Next week, Part Three: Don’t go over your boss’s head (but…)
