Feb 20, 2019
The leader isn’t always the one
with “legitimate authority.” Often, leaders in the middle looking
to exert change aren’t successfully managing up. Jim and Jan break
it down as to what managing up is, why it’s important, and how to
do it successfully. They share stories where they successfully
managed up, and examples where they screwed up.
Key Takeaways
[2:09] Managing up is about
creating alignment and sharing expectations with those you work
with. It’s also about marching to the same beat at the same
pace.
[4:07] Different people can lead
at different times, depending on what is best for that particular
scenario. Good leaders have enough humility to realize that they
need support, and are secure enough in their position to know that
it’s okay for others to manage them.
[6:35] Rather to go to your boss
to get feedback, manage them by providing them with how you are
doing, and answers for them to critique.
[10:52] Managing up takes
courage, and a willingness to be open to a two-way
discussion.
[12:07] In a good relationship
there is balance. While it is best not to get the upper hand, it
also is import to not subordinate yourself.
[14:44] While Jan once was
compared to Don Quixote for not being able to repair a
relationship, he experienced a win when he created a sales training
job that proved important to the greater good of the
organization.
[18:04] Jim took a prior
experience of managing up and infused more time, patience and
credibility into the situation. It went over much better when he
slowly introduced his ideas once he had more political capital to
leverage.
[22:21] When looking to have a
conversation with your leader, ask for their time, and make sure
the talk includes what will be of benefit to both yourself and the
organization. Get an agreement of what needs to happen, and ask the
right questions to get feedback.
[24:02] The most important rule
of managing up to remember: It’s Not About
You.
Quotes
- “Managing up is about aligned
expectations.”
- “Courage is the mother of all virtues.” -
Aristotle
- “Some
people ask for what they want, some people take what’s given to
them.”
- “You
have to state what you want.”
- “Ask
questions based on “it’s not about me, it’s about us”.
- “It’s
by having a patient sequence of questions that you will move
towards your goal.”
- “It’s
not about you.”
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