🧠 Managing Upwards: Practical Advice and Tools for Career Growth

Understanding 'Managing Upwards'

Before we delve into the practical advice and tools, it's essential to understand the concept of 'managing upwards' and its importance in the workplace.

Managing upwards involves effectively building and cultivating relationships with your ‘superiors’, such as bosses, team leads, or project managers, to achieve mutual success and foster a positive work environment.

The idea is not about manipulation or trying to control your boss; it's about creating a healthy, collaborative relationship that benefits both parties.

#1 Active Listening and Communication

The foundation of any strong working relationship is communication. Active listening and communication clarity are key elements of managing upwards. Here are some practical tips for effective communication:

• Active Listening: The cornerstone of your strategy is to ensure you understand what your manager is saying. Read my five tips here.
• Ask open-ended questions: Encourage your manager to share more information and clarify their expectations by asking open-ended questions.
• Develop Clarity: Make communication easier by striving for clarity, practice clarity in every type of message.

#2 Building Trust and Credibility

From day one with your manager, establishing trust and credibility is crucial. When your manager trusts you and sees you as a credible team member, they are more likely to value your opinions and support your career growth. Use every opportunity to build trust and credibility:

• Demonstrate reliability: Consistently deliver on your commitments and meet deadlines. Be punctual, organized, and prepared for meetings.
• Show your expertise: Continuously build your knowledge and skills in your area of expertise. Share your insights and contribute to discussions and problem-solving efforts.
• Act with integrity: Be honest, transparent, and ethical in all your actions. Admit your mistakes and take responsibility for your actions.

#3 Get aligned

Aligning your goals with your manager can lead to increased trust and collaboration. To do this, you need to understand and meet your manager's expectations. Here are some suggestions:

• Discuss your goals and objectives with your manager: Openly discuss your career aspirations, and ask for their input and guidance. This conversation can help you identify areas of alignment and opportunities for growth.
• Demonstrate your commitment: Show your dedication to the organization's success by actively seeking ways to contribute to the company's goals and objectives.
• Regularly check in: Use your regular touchpoints (ideally weekly 1:1’s) to discuss progress, address concerns, and realign expectations as needed.

#4 Adaptability and Flexibility

In our dynamic work environments, being adaptable and flexible is essential when managing upwards. To stay open-minded, embrace change, and maintain a solutions-focused mindset:

• Be proactive: Anticipate potential challenges and prepare to adjust your approach as needed.
• Embrace a growth mindset: View setbacks as opportunities for growth and improvement, rather than as failures.
• Maintain a positive attitude: Stay optimistic and solution-oriented, even when facing challenges.

#5 Providing Constructive Feedback

Offering constructive feedback to your manager can be valuable for both parties, but it's essential to approach this process tactfully and effectively:

• Be specific and objective: Focus on the facts and avoid generalizations. Describe the situation, behavior, and its impact on you or the team, and use specific examples.
• Offer solutions: Suggest potential solutions or improvements to demonstrate your commitment to resolving the issue and achieving better outcomes.
• Maintain a respectful and professional tone: Remember that your goal is to improve the situation, not to criticise or undermine your manager. Frame your feedback in a positive and supportive manner.
• Choose the right time and place: Find a private and quiet setting where you can discuss your concerns without interruptions. Ensure your manager is in a receptive mood and has the time to discuss the issue at hand.

#6 Build Emotional Intelligence

Emotional Intelligence (EI) is a vital component of developing strong working relationships. It includes self-awareness, empathy, and effective communication. Developing your EI will enable you to understand your manager's emotions, motivations, and communication style, leading to more fruitful interactions. Here are some tips to enhance your emotional intelligence:

• Reflect on your emotions and reactions: Take time to recognize and understand your emotions and how they influence your actions. This self-awareness can help you manage your emotions and respond more effectively in challenging situations.
• Practice empathy: Put yourself in your manager's shoes and try to understand their perspective. This understanding can help you communicate more effectively and anticipate their needs.
• Improve your communication skills: Learn how to express your thoughts and feelings clearly and assertively. Understand the importance of non-verbal communication, such as body language and tone of voice.

Tools for Managing Upwards

There are various tools and resources available to help you develop and refine your managing upwards skills. Here are some recommendations:

Books:

• "Consiglieri - Leading from the Shadows" by Richard Hytner: This is my favourite book on understanding being a 'second in command'
• "The Art of Managing Up" by Tony Deblauwe: This book provides practical strategies for building a strong relationship with your manager.
• "Emotional Intelligence 2.0" by Travis Bradberry and Jean Greaves: This book offers actionable advice for improving your emotional intelligence, a crucial skill for managing upwards.
• "Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High" by Kerry Patterson, Joseph Grenny, Ron McMillan, and Al Switzler: This book teaches you how to navigate difficult conversations, which can be essential when providing feedback to your manager.

Online Courses:

• LinkedIn Learning: Check out their range of courses on communication, leadership, and emotional intelligence to develop your managing upwards skills.
• Coursera: Explore courses from reputable universities and institutions that cover essential topics like effective communication and leadership.

Podcasts:

• WorkLife with Adam Grant: This podcast explores various workplace topics, including managing upwards, and provides actionable advice for improving your professional life.

Tools:

• Single Source of Truth - I recommend a document that both you and your manager can update/access and track conversations and actions. I like Google Docs (for its simplicity), but any process where you can review the same agenda items and actions will help drive your relationship.
• 1:1 questions - I maintain a bank of 1:1 questions that will help develop your manager connection.

Final Thoughts

Mastering the art of managing upwards is essential for career growth and creating a healthy, collaborative work environment.

By focusing on communication, trust, goal alignment, adaptability, providing feedback, and emotional intelligence, individuals can foster strong relationships with their superiors and contribute to mutual success.

Leveraging resources such as books, online courses, and podcasts can further enhance these skills and lead to more fruitful interactions within the workplace.

Ultimately, managing upwards is a vital skill that empowers employees to take charge of their professional development while supporting the goals and objectives of their organizations.