Managing your manager, often referred to as “managing up,” is an essential skill that can significantly impact your career growth, work satisfaction, and overall team success. While it may sound counterintuitive to manage someone who is your superior, this approach is about creating a productive working relationship, aligning goals, and effectively communicating to ensure mutual success. Here are key strategies for managing your manager effectively.
Tips To Manage Your Manager
1. Understand Your Manager’s Goals and Priorities
One of the first steps in managing your manager is to understand their goals, priorities, and pressures. Knowing what drives them can help you align your efforts to support their objectives. Ask yourself:
- What are their main goals for the team or organization?
- What are their biggest challenges and concerns?
- How do they measure success?
To gain this understanding, observe their behavior, ask direct questions during meetings, and listen carefully to their feedback. This knowledge allows you to anticipate their needs and demonstrate that you are aligned with their vision.
2. Communicate Effectively
Effective communication is the cornerstone of managing up. This involves not only conveying your ideas clearly but also understanding your manager’s communication style and preferences. Here are some tips for effective communication:
- Be Clear and Concise: When presenting ideas or updates, be direct and to the point. Avoid unnecessary details that might cloud your message.
- Choose the Right Medium: Some managers prefer emails, while others might favor face-to-face meetings or instant messaging. Adapt to their preferred communication method.
- Regular Updates: Keep your manager informed about your progress, potential issues, and achievements. Regular updates prevent surprises and demonstrate accountability.
- Active Listening: Pay attention to your manager’s feedback and ask clarifying questions if needed. This shows respect and a willingness to learn.
3. Anticipate Needs and Be Proactive
Anticipating your manager’s needs and being proactive can set you apart as a reliable and valuable team member. Think ahead about what might be required and take initiative before being asked. This might involve:
- Identifying Problems Early: If you foresee potential challenges or risks in a project, bring them to your manager’s attention along with possible solutions.
- Offering Solutions: When presenting problems, also suggest possible solutions. This shows that you are not just identifying issues but are also invested in solving them.
- Taking Initiative: Volunteer for projects or tasks that align with your skills and your manager’s goals. This demonstrates your commitment and drive.
4. Adapt to Their Working Style
Every manager has a unique working style, and adapting to it can enhance your working relationship. Some managers are detail-oriented and prefer to micromanage, while others give their team more autonomy. Understanding and adapting to their style involves:
- Observing and Learning: Pay attention to how your manager likes to operate. Do they prefer detailed reports or high-level summaries? Do they like frequent check-ins or prefer you handle things independently?
- Adjusting Your Approach: Modify your work habits to match their preferences. If they are hands-on, provide regular updates and seek their input. If they are more hands-off, show that you can work independently and deliver results without constant supervision.
5. Build Trust and Credibility
Trust is fundamental in any professional relationship, especially with your manager. Building trust and credibility involves consistently delivering high-quality work and demonstrating reliability. Here are ways to build trust:
- Deliver on Promises: Meet deadlines and commitments. If you say you will do something, make sure it gets done.
- Quality Work: Ensure that your work is thorough and accurate. Paying attention to details and producing high-quality outputs builds your manager’s confidence in your abilities.
- Transparency: Be honest about your progress and any challenges you face. Hiding problems can erode trust, while transparency helps build it.
6. Seek Feedback and Act on It
Feedback is a valuable tool for growth and improvement. Seeking feedback from your manager shows that you are committed to professional development and open to learning. To make the most of feedback:
- Request Regular Feedback: Don’t wait for annual reviews. Ask for feedback regularly to understand how you can improve and align better with your manager’s expectations.
- Act on Feedback: Show that you take feedback seriously by implementing suggestions and making necessary changes. This demonstrates your willingness to grow and adapt.
- Show Appreciation: Acknowledge and appreciate the feedback. Let your manager know that you value their input and are working on the areas they mentioned.
7. Manage Up with Empathy
Empathy plays a crucial role in managing up. Understanding your manager’s pressures and constraints can help you support them better. Consider the following:
- Recognize Their Challenges: Acknowledge that your manager might be dealing with pressures from their own superiors or from other areas within the organization.
- Be Supportive: Offer help and support when you see your manager under stress. This might involve taking on additional tasks or simply offering words of encouragement.
- Build a Positive Relationship: Cultivate a positive and respectful relationship with your manager. This can lead to better collaboration and a more pleasant work environment.
8. Align with Organizational Goals
Aligning your work with the broader organizational goals ensures that you are contributing to the overall success of the company, which reflects well on both you and your manager. This involves:
- Understanding the Bigger Picture: Know the company’s mission, vision, and strategic goals. Understand how your role and your team’s work contribute to these objectives.
- Demonstrating Alignment: Show that your work supports the organization’s goals. This might involve aligning your projects with strategic priorities or demonstrating how your achievements contribute to the company’s success.
9. Develop Your Skills and Competencies
Investing in your professional development not only benefits you but also adds value to your team and organization. Developing your skills and competencies can help you manage up more effectively by:
- Enhancing Your Expertise: Continuously improve your skills and knowledge to stay relevant and bring new ideas to the table.
- Increasing Your Value: Demonstrating that you are a knowledgeable and skilled team member can earn your manager’s respect and trust.
- Being Resourceful: With a broad skill set, you can offer solutions and support in various areas, making you a valuable asset to your manager and team.
Final Word From Blissed Men
Managing your manager is about creating a productive and positive working relationship that benefits both parties. By understanding your manager’s goals, communicating effectively, being proactive, adapting to their style, building trust, seeking feedback, managing with empathy, aligning with organizational goals, and developing your skills, you can foster a strong and successful partnership. This not only enhances your work environment but also contributes to your professional growth and career success. Managing up is a strategic approach that, when done well, can lead to a more satisfying and effective professional experience for both you and your manager.