Mastering the Art of Managing Up: Elevate Your Career Through Proactive Collaboration
By Urey Mutuale
7 Key Strategies to Build a Productive Relationship with Your Manager
Discover how ‘managing up’ can transform your career. Learn seven proven strategies to improve communication, align expectations, and drive success for you and your team.
Mastering the Art of Managing Up: Elevate Your Career Through Proactive Collaboration
In today’s fast-paced workplace, “managing up” isn’t about flattering your boss—it’s about building a mutually beneficial relationship that drives results. When done right, it can accelerate your professional growth, enhance team dynamics, and ensure alignment on goals.
Why Managing Up Matters
Managing up is a skill every employee should cultivate. It helps you:
- Clarify expectations and priorities
- Increase efficiency and reduce misunderstandings
- Show initiative and leadership potential
- Build trust and credibility with your manager
- Advance your career by delivering better results
1. Understand Your Manager’s Goals and Priorities
Begin by asking: What metrics, deliverables, and values drive your manager’s success? Schedule a one-on-one to discuss their objectives and team KPIs. Use questions such as:
- “Which projects are top priority this quarter?”
- “How do you prefer to receive updates—email, brief calls, or dashboards?”
- “What would a successful outcome look like for this initiative?”
Document these insights to guide your day-to-day tasks and decisions.
2. Communicate Proactively and Clearly
Regular updates prevent surprises. Whether you use Trello boards, shared spreadsheets, or quick Slack messages, keep the communication concise. A simple template works well:
• Progress: What’s done
• Blockers: What’s holding me back
• Next Steps: Planned actions for the weekAdapt frequency to your manager’s preference. Over-communicating is better than radio silence.
3. Anticipate Needs and Offer Solutions
Go beyond assigned tasks. Monitor project timelines and flag potential risks early. Instead of saying, “I can’t finish on time,” propose alternatives:
- Shift resources
- Adjust scope
- Extend deadlines
Demonstrating problem-solving shows ownership and strategic thinking.
4. Align on Decision-Making Styles
People have different risk tolerances and decision processes. Does your manager prefer data-driven recommendations or quick calls? Observe sessions with stakeholders and ask:
“When we have a quick decision, do you want a one-pager or a brief verbal summary?”
Matching their style accelerates approvals and reduces friction.
5. Seek and Act on Feedback
Healthy feedback loops foster growth. After major deliverables, ask:
- “What went well?”
- “What can I improve next time?”
Document action items and revisit progress in the following meeting. Demonstrating responsiveness to feedback builds trust.
6. Build a Personal Rapport
Professional relationships thrive on mutual understanding. Allocate time for brief non-work check-ins:
- Share industry articles
- Ask about weekend plans or hobbies
- Offer congratulations on recent successes
Small gestures humanize interactions and strengthen rapport.
7. Demonstrate Your Value Consistently
Managing up culminates in consistently delivering impact. Track your contributions—process improvements, cost savings, new clients. Present highlights quarterly:
- “Secured a 15% increase in revenue from client X.”
- “Automated reporting saved 10 hours of manual work weekly.”
Quantified wins reinforce your reliability and position you for promotions.
Putting It All Together
Proactive communication, empathy, and strategic thinking are the cornerstones of managing up. When you align with your manager’s goals, anticipate challenges, and deliver consistent value, you become an indispensable team player.
Next Steps: Take Control of Your Career with Taluno
Ready to accelerate your growth? Create a free profile on Taluno and explore thousands of opportunities tailored to your skills. Show hiring managers your proactive mindset—start managing up in your next role! 👩💼🚀
