Managing Up, Not Kissing Up is the Way to Go

Performing well in any job involves evaluating objectives and making productive decisions that foster company goals. While brown-nosing may temporarily satisfy your self-interest, being a shameless people-pleaser doesn't help you grow professionally or create value for your employer. On the other hand, managing up pushes you to develop collaborative relationships, which serve the combined interests of you, your superiors and the company.

The constant pursuit of approval traps you in a subservient dynamic. Always complimenting and agreeing with your bosses makes you appear to have no ideas of your own, and you miss opportunities to make strategic contributions. Managers are also less effective when their ideas are never challenged. Feedback and assessment expand your frame of reference, and employees at every level of the company need this two-way communication to make better decisions.

The Benefits of Managing Up

Managing up isn't about manipulating people to get what you want. Your success is linked to shared company goals, meaning you gain few long-term benefits by making selfish choices at the expense of others. Managing up helps you understand how your superiors think, communicate and prioritize goals, letting you tailor your interactions with them to achieve more efficient outcomes.

For instance, it's unproductive to discuss budgeting problems with a manager who is most receptive when you prepare fact-based reports. By paying attention to behavior patterns, you may realize your boss values written information with supportive evidence. A well-researched report eliminates a pointless back-and-forth conversation while providing solid information to guide your manager's actions.

Improve Your Communication Strategies

Start managing up by outlining individual and shared goals, expectations and roles with your boss. Instead of playing the guessing game, ask superiors how and when they prefer to receive updates. Establishing structured goals and timelines keeps the lines of communication open, letting you stay on track as new priorities or conflicts arise.
Observe how bosses give and receive information so you can adapt accordingly. For example, some managers have trouble visualizing ideas without reference material, some internalize all their priorities, and some are weak organizers who keep scattered lists. Sometimes, it's necessary to adjust your own work or communication style to strengthen relationships with company leaders.

Be attentive to your boss's weaknesses, and develop your skill set to balance them. Managers are human, and like you, they were hired for their strengths. Offer to help with or outsource draining tasks to make your boss's job easier, but only take on extra work that doesn't interfere with your performance.

Managing up also creates balance by giving subordinate employees room to disagree without sacrificing goodwill. When you have objections, remind your boss of your shared goal, and then explain the problem and why an alternate solution may benefit the company.

If you value personal authority and longevity over instant gratification, focus on setting yourself apart as someone who behaves honestly and proactively to solve problems. Managing up enables cooperative partnerships that optimize employee strengths while making you an indispensable asset to your superiors.

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