How To Manage Your Boss

Navigating the complexities of the workplace often involves managing not just tasks and projects, but also relationships—especially the one with your boss. When leadership from above is lacking, it becomes imperative to step up and lead from where you are. This concept, often referred to as "managing up," is about building a productive working relationship with your superior to foster mutual success. I was first introduced to this concept by one of my mentors Kelly Burkholder back in 2011. Now this is not a comprehensive guide, but a few strategies I've learned to effectively manage your boss, enhance your influence, and thrive in your career.

Understanding the Importance of Managing Up

Managing up is not about manipulation or flattery; it's about understanding your boss's goals, pressures, and working style to create a harmonious and productive work environment. According to Forbes, "managing your boss involves establishing a mutually dependent relationship that leads to clear alignment on goals."

Key Strategies for Managing Your Boss

1. Develop Self-Awareness

   Before attempting to manage your boss, it's crucial to understand your own strengths, weaknesses, and working style. This self-awareness allows you to adapt your approach to complement your boss's preferences. Reflect on how your behavior impacts your relationship with your boss and identify areas for improvement.

   Reflection Questions:

   • What are my core strengths, and how can they support my boss's objectives?

   • Are there any personal habits that may hinder my relationship with my boss?

2. Understand Your Boss's Working Style

   Every manager has a unique working style. By observing and understanding your boss's preferences, you can tailor your interactions to align with their expectations. This includes recognizing their communication style, decision-making process, and priorities.

   Action Steps:

   • Observe how your boss prefers to receive information (e.g., detailed reports vs. brief summaries).

   • Note their preferred communication channels (e.g., email, face-to-face meetings, phone calls).

   • Understand their key performance metrics and align your contributions accordingly.

3. Align with Organizational Goals

   To effectively manage up, it's essential to understand the broader objectives of the organization and how your boss's goals fit into them. This alignment ensures that your efforts contribute to the overall success of the company.

   Reflection Questions:

   • What are the organization's primary goals, and how does my role support them?

   • How can I assist my boss in achieving these objectives?

4. Enhance Communication

   Open and effective communication is the cornerstone of a productive relationship with your boss. Regularly update them on your progress, seek feedback, and be receptive to their input. Clear communication helps in building trust and ensures that both parties are on the same page.

   Action Steps:

   • Schedule regular check-ins to discuss progress and address concerns.

   • Be transparent about challenges and proactively propose solutions.

   • Listen actively to your boss's feedback and implement necessary changes.

5. Anticipate Needs and Offer Solutions

   Proactively identifying potential challenges and proposing solutions can significantly enhance your value to your boss. This initiative demonstrates your commitment to the team's success and reduces the burden on your manager.

   Action Steps:

   • Stay informed about industry trends and potential impacts on your organization.

   • Develop contingency plans for foreseeable challenges.

   • Offer to take on additional responsibilities during high-pressure periods.

6. Build Trust Through Reliability

   Consistency and reliability are key to building trust with your boss. By delivering quality work on time and meeting or exceeding expectations, you establish yourself as a dependable team member.

   Reflection Questions:

   • Am I consistently meeting deadlines and delivering high-quality work?

   • How can I improve my reliability and dependability?

7. Provide Constructive Feedback

   While it may seem daunting, providing constructive feedback to your boss can improve your working relationship. Approach these conversations with tact and focus on how changes can benefit the team and organization.

   Action Steps:

   • Choose an appropriate time and setting for feedback discussions.

   • Use "I" statements to express your perspective without assigning blame.

   • Offer specific examples and suggest actionable improvements.

8. Adapt to Your Boss's Preferences

   Flexibility in adapting to your boss's preferences can lead to a more harmonious working relationship. This may involve adjusting your work style, communication methods, or prioritization to align with their expectations.

   Reflection Questions:

   • What are my boss's top priorities, and how can I support them?

   • Are there areas where I can adjust my approach to better align with my boss's preferences?

9. Seek Opportunities for Professional Development

   Demonstrating a commitment to your professional growth can positively influence your boss's perception of you. Pursuing relevant training and development opportunities shows initiative and a desire to contribute more effectively to the team.

   Action Steps:

   • Identify skill gaps and seek relevant training programs.

   • Discuss your professional development goals with your boss and seek their support.

   • Apply new skills and knowledge to enhance your performance.

10. Maintain Professional Integrity

    Upholding ethical standards and demonstrating integrity in your work fosters respect and trust from your boss and colleagues. This foundation is crucial for a successful working relationship.

    Reflection Questions:

    • Do my actions align with the organization’s core values and ethical guidelines?
    • How can I model professional integrity for others on my team?

In addition to my own experiences, I wanted to add a few key takeaways from my mentor John C. Maxwell's Book entitled: How to Lead When Your Boss Can’t (or Won’t)

1. Maxwell’s book provides an excellent roadmap for leading from the middle and influencing upward. Let’s highlight a few powerful insights:

   1. Leadership is about influence, not position.

      • Maxwell reminds us that leadership doesn’t depend on a title or formal authority. You can lead from any position by setting a positive example and being proactive in improving team dynamics.

   2. Focus on solutions, not problems.

      • Rather than being a source of complaints, strive to be someone who brings solutions to the table. This approach can earn your boss’s trust and respect.

   3. Cultivate a servant-leadership mindset.

      • Leading when your boss can’t or won’t often means going above and beyond for the good of the team. Maxwell emphasizes serving the needs of others, which naturally earns influence.

   4. Consistency builds credibility.

      • Your actions must align with your words over time to develop trust with your boss and team. Show that you’re dependable by consistently meeting expectations.

   5. Be the bridge, not the wall.

      • Maxwell’s advice encourages you to work toward creating better communication and collaboration between your boss and the rest of the team. When you manage these relationships effectively, you strengthen your value.

         

Reflection Questions:

• How would my boss describe my attitude and work ethic?
• Am I taking proactive steps to make my boss’s life easier and to help the team succeed?
• What’s one action I can take this week to improve communication with my manager?

Ready to take the next step?

Managing your boss—and thriving in environments where leadership might be lacking—is an opportunity for growth. By adopting the strategies outlined above, you can elevate your career and foster a more productive work environment.

If this resonates with you, let’s take it a step further.

• Join my Growth Insights Newsletter for more actionable strategies. See below.

• Schedule a call for business growth consulting to discuss tailored solutions for your business.

• Apply for business leadership coaching to elevate your leadership skills.

• Book a private workshop to transform your team’s performance.

 Let’s unlock your potential to lead from wherever you are.