Here's how you can effectively manage up and keep your boss informed.

Managing up, or proactively managing your relationship with your boss, is a crucial skill that can lead to a more productive working environment and career advancement. It involves understanding your boss's needs and expectations, and ensuring they are kept informed about your work and challenges. By mastering the art of managing up, you can create a more harmonious relationship with your superiors, leading to increased trust and opportunities for growth.

1 Know Priorities

Understanding your boss's priorities is the cornerstone of managing up effectively. By aligning your work with their most important goals, you ensure that your efforts are contributing directly to the outcomes they care about most. This means actively listening during meetings, asking clarifying questions, and reflecting on any feedback received to ensure you're on the same page. Keeping these priorities in mind as you plan and execute your tasks will demonstrate your commitment to the team's success and your boss's vision.

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Oluwafisayo Aluko (MBA, MSC, MCBIS, ACIB, CRM)

Credit Recovery Specialist/Credit Analysis and Management/Debt & Loan Collection/Recovery Enthusiast/Remedial Management/Client Relationship Management/Project Management/Fraud Examiner
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Understanding your boss's priorities is the cornerstone of managing up effectively. By aligning your work with their most important goals, you ensure that your efforts are contributing directly to the outcomes they care about most. This means actively listening during meetings, asking clarifying questions, and reflecting on any feedback received to ensure you're on the same page. Keeping these priorities in mind as you plan and execute your tasks will demonstrate your commitment to the team's success and your boss's vision.

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2 Communicate Clearly

Clear communication is essential when keeping your boss informed. This doesn't just mean sending updates, but also ensuring that the information is concise, relevant, and timely. It's important to tailor your communication style to your boss's preferences, whether they favor detailed reports or brief bullet points. By presenting information in a way that resonates with them, you'll make it easier for them to understand and support your work. Remember to highlight both achievements and challenges, providing a balanced view of your progress.

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3 Schedule Updates

Regularly scheduled updates can help keep your boss in the loop without overwhelming them with information. Whether it's a weekly email summary or a bi-weekly one-on-one meeting, having a consistent schedule for updates ensures that you have their attention at predictable intervals. During these updates, focus on the progress of key projects, any roadblocks you're facing, and how you're working to overcome them. This routine not only keeps your boss informed but also shows your proactive approach to communication.

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Shelley Robinson, MBA

Multifamily and PropTech Strategist | Proptech Innovator | Industry Principal | Strategic Partnership Connector | Customer Success Executive | Creator | Speaker | Music Producer
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I recommend keeping a OneNote, worksheet or collaborative document where you can prepare for your weekly 1:1's as well as keep track of necessary updates, ongoing larger escalations, projects etc with your leader. Manage the document, own it, and ensure it reflects the appropriate messaging (executive brevity) that applies to your leader and their needs.

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4 Anticipate Needs

Anticipating your boss's needs is a powerful way to manage up. It involves thinking ahead about what information or resources they might require to make decisions or to prepare for upcoming meetings and events. By providing this information before they have to ask for it, you demonstrate initiative and foresight. This proactive behavior can build trust and show that you're not just doing your job but are actively thinking about the bigger picture and how you can contribute to the team's success.

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Elves Oliveira

Especialista Clientes Empresas | CPA-20
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Informar ao gestor permite que eles tenham acesso às informações necessárias para tomar decisões informadas e estratégicas com maior celeridade.

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5 Offer Solutions

When you encounter problems or challenges, it's important to not only communicate these issues but also to offer potential solutions. This shows that you're not just passing the buck but are engaged in problem-solving and value-added thinking. Presenting options for consideration can facilitate decision-making and demonstrate your ability to handle responsibility. Remember, the goal is to make your boss's job easier, not harder, by being a resourceful and solution-oriented team member.

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6 Reflect and Adjust

Finally, managing up is an ongoing process that requires you to reflect on what's working and what's not in your communication and relationship with your boss. Be open to feedback and willing to adjust your approach as needed. This could mean changing how you present information, the frequency of your updates, or even the way you prioritize tasks. By continually refining your approach, you'll be better equipped to meet your boss's needs and keep them well-informed.

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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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Here's how you can effectively manage up and keep your boss informed.

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Know Priorities

2 Communicate Clearly

3 Schedule Updates

4 Anticipate Needs

5 Offer Solutions

6 Reflect and Adjust

7 Here’s what else to consider

Client Relations

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Here's how you can effectively manage up and keep your boss informed.

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Know Priorities

2 Communicate Clearly

3 Schedule Updates

4 Anticipate Needs

5 Offer Solutions

6 Reflect and Adjust

7 Here’s what else to consider

Client Relations

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