“Coming together is beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success.”
-Henry Ford
Taking a cue from what Henry Ford said, let’s delve deep into the concept of managing upwards.
When you come across this term, what’s the first thing that comes to your mind? Most of you would feel you are being asked to manage your manager. Well, that’s not right. Instead, managing upwards is all about managing the relationship with your boss. A part of managing up can also be about coordinating with managers to get a job done.
Now, you might feel that you already have a good rapport with your boss, so what’s the need to know about this term?
Hold on to that thought and go through this blog. By the end, you will have a vivid idea of managing upwards, the benefits of managing upwards, and a guide to managing upwards.
So, without much ado, let’s get started!
What Is Managing Upwards: Myth Vs Truth
Managing upwards can be defined as a way to develop your career when you take on additional responsibilities to add value to the organisation and make your boss’s work easier.
It entails improving and having better working relationships between you and your boss. You can be involved in managing or improving their work. While that can get you excited, you must know what manage up at work does not mean. Here’s a look:
→ It is not about skipping the hierarchy to make your voice heard
→ It is not about trying to manage your manager
→ It is not about making your manager look bad in front of others
→ It is not about evaluating your manager and developing their skills
→ It is not about standing against the ideas your manager suggests
Instead, manage up at work means:
→ Managing your relationship with your manager
→ Improve your working rapport with your boss
→ Understand your boss’s management, leadership, and communication styles
→ Assess and evaluate your communication style and preferences at work
→ Adapt and align both work styles to increase productivity and for career development
That should clear up the confusion with upward management and help you understand what is expected of you when you are asked to manage upwards. The experts associated with companies offering CV writing services can also help you learn more about it.
Now, the question is, why would a manager want an employee to manage upward? Let us answer that in the following section and learn what managing upwards more.
Why Is Managing Up Important?
Answer this question: “Who cares about your career, you or your boss?” The answer will be you. Managers talk about the areas of development for employees and ask them to work on them to improve themselves. While that would help you grow, it might not be enough to climb the corporate ladder.
Contrary to the traditional managing down, managing up requires an employee’s will to step in and proactively suggest new ideas for improving the business. Manage up can transform employees and make them proactive.
Let’s say you are given the task of handling a project for a client. In this case, you will coordinate with the client and your manager for smooth operation. You might have to ask your manager to complete work within a deadline to ensure the project is completed on time.
This way, you get to enhance your skills, start managing projects independently, and improve yourself in the workplace. You would also learn to manage and coordinate with different teams to complete the work correctly. This would help you succeed in your professional career.
Simply put, managing up refers to aligning your work with your managers. You must volunteer for such work to enhance your skills and advance your career. You can also learn how to ask for a promotion once you start working in this role.
That brings us to the most important question, “how to manage up effectively?” We will help you understand the same. In the following section, you will learn the various steps for mastering the art of managing up.
How to Manage Up at Work?
The key to effectively manage up is to improve your managerial skills and use those traits to support your manager. Here are a few tips you must follow to ease through the process:
A. No Beating Around the Bush
Keep your managers updated every time you or your team complete an objective. You must inform them through a clear and concise message. Even when you need your manager to step in and approve a part of the project, convey that clearly. You can refer to examples of upward feedback to manager for more clarity.
B. Read Between the Lines
Be proactive in anticipating problems. Don’t sit through a meeting with your client to understand what they need. Share your insights, talk about the problems they might face and the possible solutions. Ensure your boss knows and understands how well-versed you are in handling different issues and are prepared to face unforeseen situations.
C. Be a Straight Shooter
Be honest with your work. Don’t procrastinate; deliver results as promised to reflect on your work ethic. Managing upward is not only about delegating your tasks or supporting your manager. It is also about shedding light on your values and work ethics.
D. Aim for the Same Target
Make sure your attempts at upwards management align with the company’s goals. This will reduce resistance and ensure a smooth flow of work. It will also help you strengthen your commitment to the business objectives and make your job easier.
E. Lead the Charge
Don’t wait for your manager to call you and delegate the responsibilities. Take initiative, give an early heads-up, and share ideas to demonstrate your commitment to the work. In simple words, be proactive when you want to work upwards.
F. Ask Your Manager for Feedback
You might be new to upward management and have made a few mistakes. In such cases, most employees fear asking their managers for feedback. Don’t do that. Ask your seniors how you are performing. Continuously communicate with your boss for updates. Performance reviews will help you work on yourself and refine your approach for the future.
Upward management is not a new concept. The famous management consultant Peter Drucker, whose ideas revolutionised business leadership, believed in decentralisation. He wanted businesses to empower their staff, make each one feel valued, and ensure all their voices were heard.
Today, top companies implement manager upward feedback to ensure all employees are valued. Here are a few real-world examples:
→ Google: The company is well-known for its peer review system, and employees can give feedback to each other and their managers.
→ Netflix: The company follows a culture of transparency and open communication, avoiding the traditional performance reviews.
→ Deloitte: They have started implementing a performance management system to encourage open dialogue and feedback between employees and managers.
Before we end this discussion, let us share a few additional managing upward tips. Here are a few do’s and don’ts to keep in mind:
| Do’s | Don’ts |
|---|---|
| Know your boss well | Try to manipulate |
| Anticipate and jump in | Try covering things up |
| Imagine the bigger picture | Get involved in office politics |
Endnote:
Managing upwards is a great opportunity for employees. However, they must understand and work on their skills to fulfil their job responsibilities. Now that you understand the managing upwards meaning, you can take responsibility if your manager asks you to. Also, ensure that you follow all the rules for a smooth process.
All the best!
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the five main management theories?
The five main management theories are:
→ Scientific management
→ Classical management
→ Administrative management
→ Human relations theory
→ Contingency management
What is the difference between managing up and managing across?
Managing up means creating positive and productive relationships with your manager or influencing those who are senior to you. Managing across is about influencing your peers or those working in different departments of your organisation.
What is an example of managing upward?
One of the best managing upward examples can be sending weekly progress updates to your manager. Also, informing your manager about an expected delay is an example of upward management.
What is upward delegation?
Upward delegation refers to delegating work to your boss or a senior manager. Every project needs supervision and a manager’s approval. Following up with your manager is important to get the job done.
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