Managing Up

1. Trust is the bedrock of effective manager-employee relationships.

To gain trust, you have to give trust.

Reciprocal trust. The relationship between a manager and employee hinges on mutual trust. It's not a one-way street; both parties must extend trust to receive it. This creates a positive feedback loop where each action reinforces the bond.

Work-Outs build trust. GE's Work-Out program, designed to eliminate bureaucratic processes, fostered trust by empowering employees to challenge inefficiencies and propose solutions. This bottom-up approach gave employees a voice and a sense of ownership.

Admitting mistakes. Transparency and honesty are crucial for building trust. Admitting errors, rather than concealing them, demonstrates integrity and a willingness to learn. This creates a safe environment where employees feel comfortable taking risks and innovating.

2. Confidence stems from experience, discipline, realism, perfectionism, and flexibility.

Developing confidence in your skills is paramount in business and in life.

Five elements of confidence. Confidence isn't just an innate trait; it's cultivated through a combination of experience, discipline, realism, perfectionism, and flexibility. These elements work together to create a solid foundation for success.

Experience and discipline. Gaining experience through diverse assignments and consistent follow-through builds competence and self-assurance. Volunteering for new challenges and adhering to routines strengthens skills and fosters a sense of mastery.

Realism, perfectionism, and flexibility. A realistic assessment of one's abilities, coupled with a drive for excellence and the ability to adapt to changing circumstances, creates a balanced and resilient approach to work. This combination allows individuals to navigate challenges with confidence and grace.

3. Impatience, when channeled correctly, can be a virtue in business.

Impatience is a virtue.

Driving action. While it can be perceived negatively, impatience can be a powerful motivator for driving action and achieving results. It fosters a sense of urgency and a determination to overcome obstacles.

Microplanning and anticipation. Working for an impatient boss requires meticulous planning and the ability to anticipate needs. By proactively addressing potential issues and streamlining processes, employees can create a more efficient and responsive work environment.

Benefits of impatience. When channeled effectively, impatience can lead to rapid response times, increased productivity, a focus on essentials, and a willingness to embrace change. It can also foster a culture of innovation and risk-taking.

4. High energy, fueled by teamwork and shared purpose, drives success.

Interacting with a team, with a sense of shared purpose, is an incredible high.

Energy begets energy. A high-energy leader can inspire and motivate their team, creating a positive and productive work environment. This energy is contagious and can fuel innovation and creativity.

Teamwork and shared purpose. Working as part of a team with a clear sense of purpose can be incredibly energizing. Collaboration, shared goals, and mutual support create a powerful dynamic that drives success.

Commitment and passion. To thrive in a high-energy environment, employees must be committed to getting the job done, no matter what it takes. This requires passion, dedication, and a willingness to go the extra mile.

5. Resilience is about bouncing back and learning from mistakes, not avoiding them.

Admit to your mistakes. But learn from them.

Integrity and learning. A resilient organization embraces mistakes as opportunities for growth and improvement. Transparency, honesty, and a willingness to learn from errors are essential for building a culture of resilience.

Moving on. Dwelling on past failures can be detrimental to progress. Resilient individuals and organizations focus on the future, using past experiences as lessons to guide their actions.

Turning mistakes into opportunities. By viewing setbacks as opportunities for innovation and improvement, resilient organizations can transform challenges into competitive advantages. This requires a proactive and adaptable mindset.

6. Humor lightens the load and fosters open communication.

A lack of laughter is a sign of a business that is in trouble, is headed for trouble, or deserves to be in trouble.

Breaking down barriers. Humor can be a powerful tool for breaking down barriers and fostering open communication. It creates a more relaxed and approachable environment where employees feel comfortable sharing ideas and concerns.

Perspective and stress relief. A sense of humor can help individuals maintain perspective and cope with stress. It allows them to laugh at themselves and their mistakes, reducing tension and promoting a more positive outlook.

The power of laughter. Laughter is contagious and can create a more enjoyable and engaging work environment. It fosters camaraderie, strengthens relationships, and promotes a sense of shared purpose.

7. Common sense, combined with a strong work ethic, is invaluable.

Ninety-eight percent of any job is follow-through.

Practical wisdom. Common sense is the ability to make sound judgments and decisions based on practical experience and knowledge. It's an essential ingredient for success in any field.

Work ethic and follow-through. A strong work ethic, characterized by diligence, perseverance, and a commitment to excellence, is crucial for achieving goals. Follow-through is the key to turning plans into reality.

Supporting the boss. A key element of common sense is recognizing the importance of supporting the person above you. By making their job easier and helping them achieve their goals, you contribute to the overall success of the organization.

8. Preparation is key to managing up effectively.

Ninety-eight percent of any job is follow-through.

Anticipating needs. Effective preparation involves anticipating the needs of your boss and proactively gathering the information and resources they require. This demonstrates initiative and a commitment to their success.

Preflight checklist. Developing a mental checklist of questions to ask and tasks to complete before meetings and events ensures that you are fully prepared to support your boss. This includes understanding the purpose of the event, the key players involved, and the desired outcomes.

Sharing knowledge. Preparation also involves sharing your knowledge and insights with your boss, providing them with a comprehensive understanding of the issues at hand. This allows them to make informed decisions and take effective action.

9. Adaptability is essential for navigating rapid change.

To manage up in this era of rapid and pervasive change means being willing to gracefully and skillfully deal with the unexpected.

Embracing change. In today's fast-paced business environment, adaptability is crucial for success. Being willing to embrace change and adjust to new circumstances is essential for managing up effectively.

The adaptability kit. Having the right tools and resources on hand, such as a cell phone, laptop, and survival files, allows you to respond quickly and effectively to unexpected situations. This ensures that you can continue to support your boss, even in the face of adversity.

Managing details. Adaptability also involves taking on more responsibility for important functions that are being passed downward in the hierarchy. This requires a willingness to learn new skills and embrace new challenges.

10. Simplicity streamlines processes and enhances focus.

The job you’re in should offer room to grow—or it’s time to move on.

Prioritization and focus. Simplicity involves streamlining processes and eliminating unnecessary tasks to enhance focus and productivity. This allows you to prioritize the most important activities and achieve better results.

The calendar as a tool. A well-organized calendar can be a powerful tool for managing time and resources effectively. By blocking out fixed events and allocating time for key priorities, you can create a more structured and efficient work environment.

Delegation and empowerment. Simplicity also involves delegating tasks effectively and empowering others to take ownership of their work. This frees up your time and allows you to focus on higher-level responsibilities.

11. Fairness, consistently applied, motivates and retains talent.

The job you’re in should offer room to grow—or it’s time to move on.

Rewarding success. Fairness involves recognizing and rewarding those who contribute the most to the organization's success. This motivates employees to excel and fosters a culture of high performance.

Addressing poor performance. Fairness also requires addressing poor performance and taking action to improve or eliminate it. This ensures that everyone is held accountable for their contributions and that the organization is not held back by underperforming employees.

Open communication. Transparency and open communication are essential for creating a fair and equitable work environment. Employees need to understand how their performance is being evaluated and what opportunities are available for growth and advancement.

12. Open communication is the engine that drives a successful company.

The job you’re in should offer room to grow—or it’s time to move on.

Two-way dialogue. Open communication involves creating a culture where employees feel comfortable sharing ideas, concerns, and feedback with their managers. This requires active listening and a willingness to consider different perspectives.

Transparency and honesty. Open communication also requires transparency and honesty. Managers need to be upfront about the challenges facing the organization and the decisions that are being made.

Building trust. By fostering open communication, organizations can build trust and strengthen relationships between managers and employees. This creates a more collaborative and productive work environment.

Last updated: April 3, 2025