Managing up

When people talk about managing up, they often have some sense that this is about an individual trying to manipulate their boss in some way or even convince them to do something they otherwise wouldn't do! Managing up is therefore seen as somehow slightly dishonest or underhand, but actually, nothing could be further from the truth. Managing up is all about making sure that you have a productive relationship with your line manager that supports both of you to achieve the shared goal for the pupils you both serve. It's about you taking your share of responsibility for the quality of your joint working relationship so can both work towards mutually agreed goals that are in the best interest of you, your line manager and your school. it isn't political maneuvering.

The benefits of managing up

If you are good at managing up, you and your manager both stand to benefit in a range of different ways. Not only are you more likely to get the kind of resources that you need, you will also have created a strong working relationship that benefits you both. So, getting that relationship right is in everyone's interests. Like a great marriage, though, it takes work from both parties!

For middle leaders in particular, having a good relationship with your line manager also gives you a direct route into the senior team of the school. Not only can this lead to improved opportunities for you to gain experience beyond your current role, it is : also a good way to help ensure that the members of your own team are on the radar of your senior colleagues. In other words, managing up is all about creating positive, mutually beneficial relationships for you, your team and the organization as a whole.

So, what does managing up actually involve?

Managing up involves understanding and meeting your line manager's expectations while effectively communicating your own needs and expectations. This can be achieved through:

1. Clearly understanding your manager's communication preferences and frequency of updates.

2. Articulating your preferred working methods and discussing factors that impact your effectiveness.

3. Presenting solutions along with problems when addressing issues with your manager.

4. Addressing concerns or disagreements promptly to maintain a healthy working relationship.

5. Being honest and transparent to build trust and confidence in your competence.

6. Leading by example to demonstrate the success of ideas and behaviors, as actions speak louder than words.

By aligning actions with expectations and demonstrating integrity and competence, emerging leaders can effectively manage upwards and foster productive working relationships.

It is important to keep in mind that,

“Once you become a victim, you cease to become a leader.” -Annie MCKee

Love and Light

DAO