Managing up is an interesting topic. A lot of people don’t realize they are doing it when they do it. Anytime you are taking information to your leader to help drive a project, topic or situation forward…you are managing up.
Let’s get this out of the way…this is not an opportunity to manipulate or be shady. This should be a mutually beneficial relationship between two people. Managing up, allows you to support the person, who in the right setup, will in return help support you. Their growth is usually the catalyst for growth of their team.
How exactly do you manage up? Be your leader’s eyes and ears in the teams, cross functionaly and in conversations with their leaders. Listen for opportunities for them to step in, be proactive or flat out take over. Help them understand the context of situations, give them information about what is happening in the teams, upcoming issues, whatever information that helps them be in the know and effective…allowing THEM to manage up effectively.
Managing up can be a great place when you have a leader you trust, if you do, lean on them and let them lean on you…you will be amazed at all the amazing things you can get done.
Thanks for being here! Reach out for questions or comments!
