Managing Up

Administrative support professionals are truly a member of the management team in whatever organization they find themselves working in. Although we are not usually considered management-level employees, we are called upon every day to not only manage ourselves, we are expected to manage people, processes, projects, the office environment, and the list goes on. 

One of the biggest ways we manage on a daily basis is when we are managing up. Managing up is being an effective employee who works every day for the mutual benefit of your executive and those above you.  Several years ago, I read a book by Rosanne Badowski, a fellow administrative support professional. She supported a well-known C-suite executive for many years. Here are some of the strategies that I gleaned from her insights and incorporate into my own work style. 

• First, do all that you can to make each day run as smoothly as possible for your executive. With a hectic and stressful schedule, my boss, as well as her direct reports, need me to constantly think of ways how I can ensure things stay on track. Some of the ways I do that is by delegating non-priority items, keeping on schedule with meetings and calls, and ensuring my boss has the necessary prep materials for every situation scheduled for their day. 
• Next, do all that you can to build a solid relationship with those above you that is founded on trust. This is an essential ingredient in your working relationship with your executive and others above you. One of the first things my boss told me when I began working for her was that she trusted me implicitly and she gave me access to all her email and other confidential information. This was not something I had experienced before. In previous positions, the longer I worked for the individual, the more forthcoming they were with information. In this instance, I gained her trust immediately. This has made for a much easier transition and we were able to get up to speed much more quickly. 
• Lastly, remember you are the subject matter expert on what you do. You have a voice within your office environment; don't be afraid to use it. There are a number of things that come across my desk and, oftentimes, they are things that I have experience in from a previous job, or I may have helpful information that I think my boss and her direct reports can use. When these types of cases come up, I bring them to the right person's attention and I offer my counsel as to possible solutions. That person is normally very appreciative and takes my professional opinion seriously. 

Managing up is about being confident in who you are as an administrative support professional. The chemistry and teamwork that you can form with the person or persons you support will go a long way in helping you to be successful.

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