How To Impress Your Boss by Managing Up

This was originally posted on Planner Bee.

Contrary to what many may think, managing up isn’t about manipulation or flattery. It’s about fostering mutual respect and collaboration. By understanding your bosses’ needs, preferences and pressures, and proactively working to meet them, you can develop a positive and productive relationship with your bosses.

Managing up also helps you by ensuring your work aligns with your boss’ expectations, reducing misunderstandings, and increasing your visibility within the organisation.

When you make your boss’ job easier, you demonstrate your value to the team and position yourself as a reliable and competent employee.

Getting to know your manager

To manage up successfully, you need to have a deep understanding of your manager’s goals, pressures, communication style, and work habits. Here’s how you can achieve that:

Understand their goals and pressures

Know what your manager is aiming to achieve and the challenges they face. This might involve understanding the broader organisational goals, the team’s objectives, and any external pressures such as market conditions or stakeholder expectations.

Preferred communication style

Some managers prefer detailed written reports, while others might favour quick verbal updates. Pay attention to how they communicate and mirror that style to ensure your messages are well-received.

Work habits

Observe your manager’s work habits, such as their preferred times for meetings, their decision-making process, and their approach to problem-solving. Adapting to their style can help you work more effectively together.

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Communicate effectively

Effective communication is crucial for managing up. Here are some strategies to enhance your communication with your boss:

Regular check-ins

Schedule regular meetings to update your manager on your progress, discuss any challenges, and receive feedback. This keeps them informed and shows you are proactive.

Feedback

Be open to receiving feedback and act on it promptly. Also, provide constructive feedback to your manager when appropriate, but ensure it is done respectfully and with the intent to improve processes.

Anticipate needs

Try to anticipate what your manager might need before they ask for it. This could be preparing a report ahead of a meeting or offering to take on a task you know is important to them.

Be proactive

Don’t wait for instructions. Take the initiative to start projects, suggest improvements, and solve problems independently.

Align your goals

Aligning your goals with those of your manager’s ensures that you are working towards the same objectives. This alignment can be achieved through:

Understanding priorities

Know what your manager considers high priority and focus your efforts on those areas. This demonstrates that you are invested in the team’s success.

Setting joint goals

During your check-ins, discuss and set goals together. This helps to ensure that your work is directly contributing to what matters most to your manager and the organisation.

Be reliable and build trust

Reliability and trust are the cornerstones of a strong working relationship. You can build these by:

Meeting deadlines

Consistently meeting deadlines shows that you are dependable and capable of managing your workload effectively.

Owning up to mistakes

If you make a mistake, own up to it immediately and learn from it. This honesty fosters trust and shows that you are committed to continuous improvement.

Provide solutions, not problems

When challenges arise, presenting solutions rather than just problems can significantly enhance your credibility. Here’s how to approach this:

Come prepared

Don’t just highlight problems – offer potential solutions and alternatives. This proactive approach demonstrates your problem-solving skills.

Demonstrate skills

Use challenges as an opportunity to showcase your expertise and creativity. Proposing well-thought out solutions can help you stand out.

Support your manager’s success

Your manager’s success directly impacts your own. Support their success by:

Being a team player

Assist in achieving team goals and offer help when needed. Show that you are invested in the overall success of the team and the organisation.

Providing constructive input

Offer suggestions that can help improve processes or achieve better results. Your input should be aimed at enhancing the team’s performance.

Build a positive relationship

Building a positive relationship with your manager can lead to a more pleasant and productive work environment. You can do this by:

Showing appreciation

Acknowledge your manager’s efforts and express gratitude for their support and guidance.

Respect boundaries

Understand and respect their personal and professional boundaries. This shows that you are considerate and respectful.

Showcase your value

To impress your boss through managing up, it’s essential to consistently demonstrate your value to the team and the organisation. Here are some ways to do this:

Highlight achievements

Regularly update your manager on your accomplishments. Whether it’s completing a significant project, exceeding targets, or learning a new skill, keeping your manager informed of your contributions ensures they recognise your efforts.

Document your work

Keep a record of your tasks, projects, and achievements. This not only helps you track your progress but also provides concrete evidence of your contributions during performance reviews or discussions about promotions.

Seek opportunities for growth

Show your commitment to professional development by seeking opportunities to learn and grow. Attend workshops, take courses, and ask for challenging assignments that allow you to expand your skill set and demonstrate your ambition.

Read more: How To Use Your SkillsFuture Credits To Upskill

Demonstrate leadership qualities

Even if you are not in a formal leadership position, demonstrating leadership qualities can significantly impact how your boss views you. Here’s how you can showcase your leadership potential:

Take initiative

Volunteer for projects, propose new ideas, and take charge of tasks without waiting for instructions. Initiative shows that you are proactive and willing to go above and beyond your basic duties.

Mentor others

Offer to mentor junior colleagues or new hires. Sharing your knowledge and experience helps build a supportive team environment and demonstrates your leadership capabilities.

Stay informed

Keep yourself updated on industry trends, best practices, and new technologies. Being well-informed allows you to contribute valuable insights and position yourself as a knowledgeable resource within the team.

Maintain a positive attitude

A positive attitude can have a significant impact on your work environment and your relationship with your boss. Here’s how to maintain and project a positive outlook:

Stay enthusiastic

Approach your tasks with enthusiasm and a can-do attitude. Your positive energy can be contagious and can help boost team morale.

Handle stress gracefully

Stay calm and composed under pressure. Demonstrating that you can manage stress effectively reassures your manager that you can handle challenging situations.

Celebrate successes

Take time to acknowledge and celebrate your own successes as well as those of your team. Celebrating achievements fosters a positive work culture and reinforces your contributions to the team’s success.

The don’ts in managing up

While managing up, there are certain behaviours you should avoid to maintain a healthy and professional relationship:

Don’t manipulate

Avoid trying to manipulate your manager or colleagues to achieve your goals. This can damage trust and harm your reputation.

Don’t cover up mistakes

Hiding mistakes can lead to bigger problems down the line. Always be honest and transparent about any issues that arise.

Don’t engage in office politics

Office politics can lead to a toxic work environment. Focus on fostering a positive and collaborative atmosphere instead.

Managing up is a strategic approach that can significantly enhance your professional relationships and career trajectory. Master the art of doing so effectively, and you can create a more harmonious work environment, enhance your job satisfaction, and even increase your chances of career advancement.