Here's how you can effectively manage up and shape your boss's decisions.

Understanding the dynamics of your workplace and your boss's expectations is crucial to effectively manage up. Managing up, a skill that involves influencing your boss's decisions and actions, is not about manipulation; it's about being proactive and helping your boss succeed, which in turn benefits you and the organization. By mastering this skill, you can create a more productive work environment and ensure that your ideas and concerns are heard and addressed. It's a strategic approach to professional growth and enhancing the relationship with your boss.

1 Know Your Boss

To manage up successfully, it's essential to understand your boss's goals, preferences, and working style. Pay attention to the types of decisions they make and the factors they consider important. This insight will allow you to tailor your communication and proposals to align with their objectives and priorities. By demonstrating that you're invested in their success, you'll build trust and credibility, making it more likely for your boss to consider your input when making decisions.

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Peter Kevin Reeves

Ready for my next interesting opportunity
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I think the best way to rephrase this is, "How can you make your boss' life easier?" It's the nature of people to come to their boss with problems. Your most effective way to have an effect is by identifying a problem, and having at least one possible solution. I've coached a lot of people over the years with ambitions. But saying, "I deserve promotion" isn't a reason for someone to listen to you. Even if you don't have the right answer, suggesting solutions starts the conversation. When your boss knows how you approach a problem, they will be far more likely to give you the opportunity to solve one. And there is nothing more valuable than an employee that solves problems.

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2 Communicate Clearly

Clear communication is the backbone of managing up. When presenting ideas or feedback, be concise and focus on how your suggestions can benefit the team and the organization. Avoid technical jargon unless it's common in your workplace. Practice active listening to understand your boss's perspective, and ensure that your points are backed by solid reasoning. By articulating your thoughts effectively, you can influence your boss's decisions in a positive way.

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Peter Kevin Reeves

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As technologists, we often fall into the trap of saying, "This is just the wrong solution". The difference between whether the issue will get addressed or not is whether its important to address it right now. People often think that hyperbole is the way to get a point across. "The service will implode if we don't do this!" What's important and what's a crisis are mutually exclusive. For instance, employee morale is more important to address when its at the level of, "Why did we make this decision?" than when its "Everyone is going to quit". Explain why an issue is important to the company and your boss. The more even tempered you are in describing an issue, the more likely you will be heard.

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3 Anticipate Needs

One way to shape your boss's decisions is by anticipating their needs and offering solutions before they have to ask. This proactive approach demonstrates initiative and foresight. Stay informed about project progress, potential challenges, and industry trends that may impact your work. By bringing valuable insights to the table, you can position yourself as a go-to resource and a key player in decision-making processes.

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4 Offer Solutions

When you identify problems or areas for improvement, always accompany them with well-thought-out solutions. This constructive approach shows that you're not just a critic but a problem-solver. Explain how your solutions align with the company's objectives and provide a clear roadmap for implementation. This can significantly influence your boss's decisions, as it reduces their workload and presents them with ready-to-execute strategies.

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5 Support Your Boss

To effectively manage up, it's important to support your boss publicly and privately. This doesn't mean blind agreement but rather providing constructive support that helps them succeed. When you have concerns or disagree with a decision, address them directly with your boss in a respectful manner. By being a reliable ally, you're more likely to be trusted with greater responsibilities and have a stronger voice in decision-making.

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6 Build Relationships

Lastly, building strong professional relationships with your boss and colleagues can enhance your ability to manage up. Networking within your organization helps you understand different perspectives and how various decisions are made. Use these relationships to gather support for your ideas, which can then be more compelling to your boss. A strong network also provides you with allies who can advocate for your proposals when you're not in the room.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Lalit Kota

MIT xPRO PG Certified | Cloud Strategy | Multi-Cloud Certified (Azure & AWS) | Software Architect |
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1. Shape Decisions, Not Dictate them. 2. Don't just disagree with your boss's decision. Explain why you think another approach is better and how it aligns with your goals. 3. Present your ideas on how to work together to achieve the best outcome, not a challenge to your boss's authority. 4. Highlight the potential benefits of your suggestion, such as increased efficiency, cost savings, new business opportunities, or improved performance.

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Here's how you can effectively manage up and shape your boss's decisions.

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Know Your Boss

2 Communicate Clearly

3 Anticipate Needs

4 Offer Solutions

5 Support Your Boss

6 Build Relationships

7 Here’s what else to consider

Engineering Management

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Here's how you can effectively manage up and shape your boss's decisions.

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Know Your Boss

2 Communicate Clearly

3 Anticipate Needs

4 Offer Solutions

5 Support Your Boss

6 Build Relationships

7 Here’s what else to consider

Engineering Management

Rate this article

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