Managing Upwards: How to Manage Your Superiors

Managing upwards is a skill that is not found in any job description, but it is important if you want to do well in your job.

What is managing upwards? Managing upwards is about how to manage your boss or superiors. To truly manage upwards, you must take repeated actions to manage your relationship with your boss and shape their perception of your work.

But, not all bosses are created equally. You need to know what kind of boss you have since you should invest time in one that you respect. Assuming you want to invest the time, these are eight tactics you can use to manage upwards. Use this as a checklist to see which ones you are already doing, and which new ideas you will try next.

 

Eight Tactics for Effective Upward Management

1. Get to know your boss’s working style 

What are your boss’s pet peeves? What is their preferred mode of communication? These small things matter, as we are all human and our work styles are different. For instance, suppose one of your boss' pet peeves is being interrupted mid-sentence, and you tend to do that whenever you are passionate about the work. In that case, it can cause a lot of misunderstanding and put a strain on the relationship.

So, find a way to ask about their preferred working style, for instance, during a one-on-one meeting or a coffee catch up. This simple act can build a good impression with your boss.

 

2. Proactively communicate your progress with your boss

Do you know how frequently your boss wants to be updated with your progress, and at what level of detail? Some managers love to see every detail, while others are very hands-off. Find out what kind of boss you have, and what level of communication gives them the sense that you know what you’re doing.

Furthermore, start communicating just a bit more often than they need. You don't want your boss to come to you for a status update. Each time they wonder about your progress, your status email should already be in their inbox, or you should already have a meeting scheduled for that week. This tactic will show your boss that they won’t need to contact you for updates. You will also build trust with them, to the point where they know you will update them at a proper time.

 

3. Ask questions and clarify expectations.  

Some people think that it’s terrible to ask your boss too many questions. As a boss, when you delegate, you tend to leave out details or assume that your team members know what you mean.  A team member should always ask their boss clarification questions to make sure they understand their responsibilities. 

A boss has to deal with many layers of information and detail, and they will forget what they have explained to whom when they are busy. Remember to clarify your boss’s expectation of your responsibilities if you feel it’s unclear. It will keep both you and your boss from making wrong assumptions.

 

4. Demonstrate your ability to achieve results without much instruction

This is about showing that you own the task you were delegated. It includes updating your boss on key milestones before they ask and getting your superior’s feedback early.

What all this has in common is starting the communication at the appropriate time. Nothing stresses a boss more than uncertainty. But if you do this, you become a certainty, and they can rely on you to involve them at the right time if needed. 

Do not be afraid to approach your boss, but you have to know the right time to approach.

5. Warn your boss early of a negative situation.  

When a situation goes bad, our instinct is to fix it or hide it. If you can fix it for sure, do it, but you should never hide it. Why? Because your boss will find out, and the worst way for them to find out is from the boss or at a group meeting where they will look bad for not knowing.

When there's a bad situation brewing that affects your boss, warn them about it and find some solutions. It’s the only method to help yourself and your superior. 

 

6. Ask for feedback and career guidance.   

Don't wait for the formal process to ask for feedback.  Most organisations’ review cycles are every six months, and that’s too long to wait for feedback.  You can just set up a meeting, for example, every three months or after a major project to get feedback and advice.  This sends two signals to your boss:

• You care about your work performance and wish to improve.

• You respect your boss' opinion and experience and want their advice not only on your performance but on your career.

 

7. Communicate with your boss on a personal level.   

Your superior is a person, too, with a life outside of work. If you find a shared hobby or mutual interest in something, try to nurture it. If there is a common interest outside of work, it can help your relationship at work. 

 

8. Thank your boss for helping you.  

This is not about buttering up. It has to be genuine.  If your boss goes out of their way to recommend you for a great project or help you develop a new skill, give them a sincere thank you.  You don’t need to get a present or anything.  Just a few sentences (in person) to say you appreciated it.  A heartfelt thanks can go a long way in building a good relationship with anyone, especially your superior.

 

These eight upward management strategies all have one thing in common: It’s about you letting your boss know that you can manage yourself, keep them informed, and know how to use their help. 

These managing upwards tactics will help you build an excellent reputation and relationship with your boss as you show them that they can rely on you to deliver and communicate at the right time.

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Source: BeMyCareerCoach

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