Dear Daughter,
One thing that people commonly forget, something I don’t want you to forget Elsa, is how to manage up. People who are just starting their career often see it as the manager’s role to manage both them and the team, but that is far from the truth. You and your manager are a team, and one can’t succeed without the other.
Elsa, managing up means that you are making your and your manager’s job easier by establishing the preferred way of communicating and ensuring you are aligned on your next steps and approach. When you start your first job, ask your manager how often they would like to receive information and in what format (email, in person, etc). This will start your relationship off on the right foot, and it will prevent miscommunication and allow you to maximize your productivity.
By communicating proactively and ongoing, you are also able to demonstrate your accomplishments to your manager, which will help you with yearly performance review. One of the most important aspects of managing up is that you show that you care about your manager’s success. I have to say that I genuinely have always cared about my managers’ success. The work that a good manager invests in your career can’t be underestimated, and should be appreciated. In return you should do everything you can to help your manager. Elsa, take time to get to know your manager. Where are they looking to go next in their career, what challenges are they going through and how can you help them? Be tentative and ask how you can help when you notice that your manager is under extra stress.
Since not many people are mindful of managing up, some of my managers have been surprised when I’ve asked them about their management style and preferred way of communicating. This is a great way to stand out amongst team members and to show them that you are driven and dedicated to both of your careers. I've always made managing up a priority. I’ve also learned in my career that it is just as important to communicate the things you were NOT able to complete. This will help you manage expectations, since that is just as much your responsibility as your manager’s. It's helped me align with my manager to see what workload is reasonable, and made sure that we have partnered to determine priorities ongoing.
How to manage up
Communicate status updates and progress to your manager ongoing. They should never have to ask where something stands. Beat them to it!
What information does your manager have to communicate to their manager? Make sure your manager has all the necessary and latest information ongoing.
By communicating to your manager ongoing, you are showing that you are on top of your stuff. This builds trust. Your manager will know that they don’t have to worry that you will drop things since you’ve proven to them that you are continuously managing your tasks.
Ask your manager what their career goals are. Provide your manager feedback to help them grow and succeed.
Help manage stress. If you see that your manager is stressed, offer to help out. Can you help with a task or run a meeting? Cover anything while they are out on vacation? This is a great way to also demonstrate that you are ready for the next step and able to manage tasks at the next level..
Partner with your team members to ensure you are all collaborating and following the same communication standards. This will also help your manager, and promote team success. Remember, if the team is successful, everyone wins.
Managing up will benefit you and your career immensely, Elsa. Managing up will also train you to always be on top of your tasks, which is of course critical in any job. I don’t really think about managing up any more, it just comes natural. As you work through your task each day, ask yourself what your manager needs to know. Soon it will become a habit!
