Fulfilling the core responsibilities of your role is always going to be the most crucial component of your working life. Productivity is, therefore, a critical part of fulfilling responsibilities. But is it enough? 

For many jobs, it’s entirely possible to simply arrive on-time and do the bare minimum, coasting through the day and running down the clock, but that’s not going to net your a promotion — or put you in particularly good stead with your coworkers… 

The best employees are those who make themselves invaluable to their employers, and for those that achieve this, the rewards can be substantial.

And what’s one of the best ways to establish yourself as a star employee? Managing up. 

In this article, we’ll explain what managing up means, and how it can improve the productivity of team members and senior staff alike.

What does ‘managing up’ mean?

Managing up is all adapting your work style to complement and support your mangers’. Essentially, it’s about making your manager’s job easier, while improving your own performance (and your chances of moving up the company ranks!). But what does it like in practice?

Managing up is:

• Anticipating deadlines and preparing well in advance.
• Providing regular updates instead of waiting for your manager to request them.
• Offering constructive feedback if there are issues with certain processes.
• Tailoring your communication style to match your manager’s preference — EG: visual data vs text-heavy reports.

When you manage up effectively, you anticipate your manager’s needs, offer solutions to potential problems before they arise, and communicate in a way that best suits the both of you.

And let’s be clear: Managing up isn’t about flattery, nor is it:

• Doing personal favours or non-work-related tasks for your manager
• Bringing your manager gifts with an expectation of favourable treatment
• Attempting to become overly familiar or ‘pally’ with your manager
• Agreeing with everything your manager says
• Attempting to make yourself look better by sabotaging your colleagues

The benefits of managing up

We’ve covered what ‘managing up’ is — now let’s examine the benefits:

Enhanced communication

One of the most immediate benefits of managing up is improved communication. When you adapt your communication style to fit your manager’s preferences, it leads to clearer and more effective exchanges. This reduces misunderstandings and ensures that you are both on the same page, paving the way for smoother project execution.

Increased trust

By consistently anticipating your manager’s needs and proactively addressing potential issues, you build a solid foundation of trust. Your manager will come to rely on you as someone who is dependable and insightful. This trust can lead to more autonomy in your role, as your manager feels confident in your ability to handle tasks independently.

Professional growth & career advancement

Managing up encourages you to develop a deeper understanding of your organisation and its goals. This insight allows you to align your work more closely with the broader objectives of the company, making you a more valuable asset. Additionally, it helps you hone critical skills such as strategic thinking, problem-solving, and effective communication.

Better still, employees who manage up effectively are often the first to be considered for promotions and other career advancement opportunities. Your ability to make your manager’s job easier and to drive team productivity will set you apart as a high performer. This proactive approach to your role demonstrates leadership potential, making you a prime candidate for that promotion you’ve been dreaming about. 

Better working relationships

When you make an effort to support (and empathise with) your manager, it often results in a more positive and collaborative working relationship. This not only makes your day-to-day work environment more pleasant but also fosters a team dynamic where everyone is working towards common goals — and as everyone knows, things are much easier when everyone is rowing in the same direction! 

How to manage up

Now you’re aware of all the benefits, let’s discuss some actionable strategies for managing up. Below, we’ll outline the basic tenets of managing up — all you’ve got to do is put them into play. 

Understand your manager’s goals and challenges: Take the time to learn about your manager’s priorities, goals, and the challenges they face. This understanding allows you to align your efforts with their needs and contribute more effectively to team objectives. And if tracking your manager’s day-to-day deadlines and responsibilities is proving tricky, consider suggesting the implementation of new systems. Project management software (such as Diligent’s board meeting software), can help in these situations, but the solution could even be as simple as organising a weekly 1-2-1 meeting. 

Proactively seek feedback: Don’t wait for performance reviews to get feedback. Regularly ask your manager for input on your work and how you can improve. This shows that you are committed to your professional growth and willing to make adjustments to better support the team.

Offer solutions, not problems: When you encounter a challenge or identify a potential issue, think through possible solutions before bringing it to your manager’s attention. Presenting well-thought-out options demonstrates your problem-solving skills and reduces the burden on your manager to come up with answers.

Be reliable and consistent: Reliability is key to building trust. Consistently meet deadlines, follow through on commitments, and maintain a high standard of work. Your manager will appreciate your dependability and come to rely on you as a critical member of the team.

Communicate effectively: Tailor your communication style to match your manager’s preferences. Whether they prefer detailed reports, visual data, or brief summaries, adapting your communication approach ensures that your messages are received and understood clearly.

Show initiative: Take the initiative to go above and beyond your basic job responsibilities. Look for opportunities to contribute to projects, streamline processes, or support team members. Your proactive attitude will not go unnoticed and will reinforce your value to the organization.

As you develop your ability to manage up, you’ll find that you not only become a more valuable and trusted team member but also open up new opportunities for career advancement and personal growth. So, take the initiative to start managing up today, and watch as your productivity, and that of your team, soars to new heights. Hungry for more? Check out our guide to the dos and dont’s of managing, or head to our index to view our entire archive of articles on talent management.

Guest writer.