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How to Manage Up and Build a Better Relationship with Your Manager

by Niamh Moynihan on
Relationship Management

Episode 42 Summary 

Ever felt unsure about how to work better with your manager? This episode of The Better Workday Podcast offers practical advice to make it easier. Host Niamh Moynihan explains the concept of "managing up"—what it is, what it isn’t, and why it’s essential for improving your working relationship. 

Niamh explores how understanding your manager’s work style, communication preferences, and priorities can lead to a more productive and stress-free workday. Whether you have a hands-off manager or one who prefers frequent updates, these tips will help you align your approach to theirs while building trust and respect. 

Key Highlights 

What Managing Up Is (and Isn't): 
  • Managing up is about working effectively with your manager by aligning with their style, goals, and challenges. 
  • It’s not about trying to manipulate or micromanage them. 
Key Strategies for Managing Up: 
  • Understand Their Work and Communication Style: Take time to learn if they prefer detailed reports or summaries, frequent updates or monthly check-ins. A quick chat during your next one-to-one can work wonders for clarifying their expectations. 
  • Keep Your Manager Proactively Updated: Share progress on projects, flag potential delays early and communicate clearly. Using tools like the My Desk Template can help streamline updates. 
  • Align with Their Priorities: Your manager’s goals are likely tied to the team’s success. Understand their key objectives and link your tasks directly to these priorities. 
  • Be Solutions-Oriented: Don’t show up with just problems—come with potential solutions. Small actions, like offering ideas when they’re overwhelmed, can make a big difference.
Benefits of Managing Up: 
  • Reduce pressure on your manager, making them more present and available to support you. 
  • Build a stronger, trust-driven relationship with room to grow and learn new skills. 

FREE TEMPLATE My Desk The ultimate one-page productivity system for busy professionals.   

Practical Steps to Try This Week: 

  1. Identify one area where you can align more closely with your manager’s style, whether it’s communication or priorities. 
  2. During your next one-to-one, ask questions to understand their work and communication preferences better. 
  3. Proactively update your manager on your workload using clear and concise summaries or templates. 

Even small adjustments can create a noticeable improvement in how you and your manager work together. 

Until next time, stay well and have a better workday.

Links & Resources: 

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