If you've ever been part of a team or even overseen one, you know how important it is to work together and maintain open communication with managers. But are you familiar with managing up?
According to Northeastern University, traditional management structure relies on leadership communicating downwards through the management hierarchy, with each management tier taking responsibility for the employees directly below them. Managing up serves as a highly effective complement to the normal top-down hierarchy and facilitates strong and productive relationships between supervisors and their subordinates. Some of the key elements are:
* Learning your supervisor's communication and management styles so that you can make efficient use of their time and attention.
* Establishing yourself as a valuable source of help and information that they can rely on when problems arise.
* Proactively keeping your supervisor in the loop about projects and initiatives instead of waiting until they ask for updates.
* Getting to know them and their goals so that you can anticipate their needs and help them succeed — which can translate into your success, too.
What managing up doesn't mean is manipulating your boss to achieve your own goals. At its core, upward management is about working together to achieve shared goals, cultivating a productive work environment, and proving that your boss had the right idea when they hired you.
