98.8% Of all customers recommend us, we're so confident about our results we publish all reviews and stats
View Live Stats View ReviewsPrevious article Next article Managing Upwards articles
Three Steps To Better Upward Management
Wed 24th August 2011
Maintain trust both ways
A positive, helpful relationship is always based on trust, as it is in both life and work. This means that your boss has to trust you when you say you'll do something - don't create false deadlines or fail to meet the ones you've been set. They need to know that you keep to your word. If you've made a mistake or something has gone wrong, the best thing is to be open and honest about what's happened and how you're going to correct it - hiding or trying to cover up your errors is going to make you look untrustworthy. The same goes for when your boss lets you down - for example, saying you can book a day's leave and then turning around at the last minute and saying no... polite but honest feedback will get you further than throwing a tantrum! Needless to say, if you are the gatekeeper for personal information, retain strict confidentiality with all of your bosses' information.
Remember that they are human, too
Although a strictly professional relationship is paramount, don't forget that your boss is human too - and has worries, desires, fears and ambitions like all of us. Getting to know your boss better as a person can help you manage upwards to them better in a professional sense - is there something they hate doing, such as preparing for meetings or giving presentations? Can you anticipate a need and then try to make it easier for them? Do they hate being kept in the dark or out of the loop, so you can alleviate this with regular status reports? This all adds up to making your boss feel more appreciative and start to think you're truly indispensible...
Don't take work issues personally
If your boss is stressed or grouchy, they may well take t out on your as the person nearest to them. Don't take it personally, it happens to us all. They might have something on their mind like an impending CEO visit or a report, and you shouldn't take it personally if they have little time to address your needs at that particular time. Try to have weekly or bi-monthly meetings with your boss where you can have the scheduled time and place to address any issues like this - don't impede on the day to day work all the time with bespoke requests.
Finally, if you really don't like your boss as a person, there is no need to be unprofessional. Very few of us have good reason to really dislike someone or not want them as a manager unless it's something far more serious like harassment or bullying - which you should, of course, report straight away. Remember that you can also learn from your manager - they are in the higher position from hard work and having a track record and you can look to them for career inspiration. Managing upwards can be easy if you know how - keep it professional, and keep on the ball - and one day you'll be managed up to yourself!
Author is a freelance copywriter. For more information on managing upwards training, please visit https://www.stl-training.co.uk
Original article appears here:
https://www.stl-training.co.uk/article-1909-three-steps-better-upward-management.html
London's widest choice in
dates, venues, and prices
Public Schedule:
On-site / Closed company:
TestimonialsWhizz-Kidz
Senior Database Executive Matthew Taylor Excel VBA Introduction Excellent course and trainer, I loved the mixture of theoretical explanations and practically trying it out ourselves! Goldsmiths College
Student Sanju Unjore Word Advanced It was a great experience, I discovered many functions in word. HMCTS
Stakeholder Manager David Willson Taking Minutes The course offered a great insight into the skills and disciplines needed for good minute-taking. Sarah was approachable and helpful, allowing for regular breaks and taking time to check my understanding of course material at all times. Her tuition was both comprehensive and constructive. |
PUBLICATION GUIDELINES