It’s not always easy to manage up. Some bosses seem unrealistic in their expectations. Others never show satisfaction with the work done. Still others seem to think you would never do the right things without their guidance or control. And then there’s the ones who don’t realize you are already putting an overload of pressure on yourself and your teams.
In our experience, successfully managing up is about ‘having your boss trust you’. And that trust is the consequence of them realizing that they can rely on you. The typical reaction of people is: ‘Of course my boss can rely on me! I’m very capable, I have the best intent in mind, and I do whatever I can!’ But it might be interesting to deepen the reflection. We have noticed these are the 6 main elements that build trust over time:
1. Vision: have a compelling vision and plan for your entity
If you have both a vision and a plan, you have a good chance of ‘being the captain on board’. If you don’t, don’t be surprised if they develop the vision and plan for you…. THEY will want to take the lead…
2. Competence: surprise your boss with valuable new insights
If you do, they’ll be looking forward to your next insight. If you don’t, they’ll consider they know better than you… THEY will want to decide on the answers…
3. Results: under-promise, over-deliver
If you do, they’ll accept that one-time digression. If you don’t, incomprehension is what you can expect. THEY will want to define what was possible…
4. Reliability: always act on what was agreed upon
If you do, once expectations are set, they’ll empower you and let you ‘do your thing’. If you don’t, you’re in for micro-management. THEY will want to retake control…
5. Dedication: show you appreciate their demands, and do all you can to help them realize their objectives
If you do, they will see you as a true discussion partner and have appreciation for your subsequent concerns. If you don’t, they’ll consider you a nuisance and won’t listen to your objections… And they’ll conclude they can’t rely on you…
6. Connection: genuinely appreciate them as a person
If you do, they will appreciate you too, which increases the likelihood of positive interactions. If you don’t, be sure they know. And they’ll conclude they can’t rely on you…
If you have a difficult relation with your boss, the points above will sure give some ‘thoughts for reflection’. If you have a difficult relation with some of your subordinates – you might now be better able to ‘name the drama’. Now go act on it! We’re happy to help you. Contact us for more info.