Mastering Managing Up: The What, Why, And How Of Leading From Below

Juliann Brown, Vice President, People & Culture, Talent Management, Pep Boys

What is Managing Up?

In the realm of workplace dynamics, there’s a timeless adage: “Employees don’t leave jobs; they leave managers.” Yet, what if there existed a paradigm where employees not only followed their leaders but actively shaped their leadership? This is the essence of managing up – a practice that places the employee in the driver’s seat of their professional relationship with their manager.

Just a caveat, managing up is not the answer to poor management, but it can allow you to proactively build a successful and collaborative relationship.

Managing up is more than just following the leader; it’s actively participating in shaping the relationship with your manager. It involves understanding your strengths and weaknesses and taking ownership of your role in the dynamic. Managing up signifies initiative, proactivity, and forward-thinking, reflecting an employee’s commitment to partnership in the workplace.

Consider this scenario: Erin, a dedicated project manager, spends weeks meticulously creating a presentation for the department’s quarterly review. She incorporates extensive research, refines every detail, and presents her work with confidence. However, during the review, her manager expresses dissatisfaction with the presentation’s format and content, leaving Erin feeling frustrated and confused.

In such familiar situations, the concept of managing up comes to the forefront. It offers employees like Erin a proactive approach to address misalignments, seek clarity, and create a mutual understanding with their managers. Managing up isn’t just about reacting to feedback. It’s about taking ownership in shaping the professional relationship to ensure goals and expectations are met effectively.

Benefits of Managing Up

While one outcome of managing up is making your manager’s job easier, it isn’t the sole outcome. It’s about fostering a collaborative and productive environment where both you and your manager thrive.

As an employee, you will reap the benefits as well.

• Boost Your Leadership Skills: Managing up gives you the chance to flex your leadership muscles, from communication to problem-solving, helping you stand out and advance in your career.

• Increased Clarity: When you manage up, you actively seek clarity and alignment with your manager, reducing the guesswork and ensuring everyone’s on the same page.

• Love What You Do: Feel empowered and engaged at work by taking ownership of your relationships and advocating for your needs. Managing up means you have a voice, and that translates to greater job satisfaction and fulfillment.

• Build Bridges, Not Walls: Break down communication barriers and create a culture of trust and respect. When you manage up, you work to create an environment where you feel comfortable sharing ideas, partner with your leader to address concerns, and work together toward common goals.

Strategies for Managing Up

1. Exceed Expectations- Simply doing great work isn’t only about meeting the requirements or the job. It means taking ownership and striving for excellence. Acknowledge your strengths, be honest about where you need improvement. Show accountability by admitting mistakes and not blaming others. By exceeding job expectations, you establish credibility and respect and lay the foundation for effective managing up.

2. Know Your Manager- Take proactive steps to understand your manager’s preferences and communication style. For example, do they prefer updates via email, or do they expect to see a meeting scheduled to review in person because they know they might miss the critical email. By gaining insights into their decision-making process and preferred channels, you can anticipate their needs and align your efforts accordingly.

3. Anticipate Your Manager’s Needs- By understanding your manager’s expectations and working style, you can anticipate their needs and tailor your approach accordingly. Show initiative. If you know there is an upcoming project or recurring task, don’t wait for your leader to come to you seeking help. This proactive approach demonstrates your commitment to partnership and enhances your effectiveness as an employee.

4. Offer Suggestions Rather Than Complaints- Instead of simply voicing complaints, shift your focus to offering ideas and suggestions to overcome obstacles. Demonstrate your problem-solving abilities by presenting potential solutions to the challenges you encounter. While seeking input from others is acceptable, it’s essential to show your ability to generate solutions rather than merely venting frustrations.

Mastering the art of leading from below, or managing up, is not just about making your manager’s job easier, but shaping your relationship with your manager all while you’re shaping your own path to success.

As you implement the strategies for managing up, from exceeding expectations to offering constructive suggestions, you will reap the benefits and contribute to a positive work environment where challenges are met with creativity, solutions are generated collaboratively, and relationships are strengthened.