How to boss the boss

‘I praise loudly. I blame softly’ – Catherine the Great. Calum Robson advocates upward management

What is upward management? – Upward management is all about influencing your boss’s behaviour, responses and decisions. And although the golden rule is to disguise the fact that you’re upwardly managing at all, the object is not – as cynics suggest – to deviously manipulate to advance your own self-serving agenda. Good upward managers act for mutual benefit, reducing stress while creating a happier, more productive environment.

I have my own issues to deal with: why should I bother? – Upward management will make your day easier, allowing you to better tackle or eliminate those issues. Consider how often you have struggled to get your manager to help you complete your training record: wouldn’t it be useful to master a technique that gives your manager the time and motivation to truly act as a coach or mentor. And imagine how many managers you might have throughout your working life – upward management is an essential career tool, especially for subtly manoeuvring yourself into an advantageous position when promotions next become available or pay reviews are due.

Practise techniques – Ask to assume aspects of your manager’s job – providing you with new skills. Don’t worry that your boss might regard this as inappropriately bold; even the busiest managers refrain from delegating, so it’s as likely to be welcomed gratefully. If you answer his phone, confidently offer to help callers or find things out for them, instead of just noting numbers – you’ll learn more about what’s going on. Identify procedural improvements but make suggestions in one-to-one situations, to avoid appearing to upstage him – and don’t imply that he’s wholly to blame for ineffective systems. In fact, highlight the positives. Starting early and working late can encourage candid speaking; you’ll know you’re upwardly managing well when your boss asks your judgement on awkward or strategic matters, or even confides in you. Empathise, but don’t waste opportunities to venture your own opinion or ideas. However, as your influence grows, maintain respect for his position. Carelessly overstepping the mark may ruin the valuable trust you have earned. 

 

"Upward management is an essential career tool, especially for subtly manoeuvring yourself into an advantageous position when promotions next become available or pay reviews are due"