'Managing up' is largely about communicating with clarity and purpose.
It doesn't matter if you're a new manager or a senior leader, getting this right is critical for your leadership effectiveness.
Whether it's a formal briefing or a regular meeting, here are a few tips to sharpen your message:
Consider:
- What’s the core purpose of the communication?
- Is it an update, a decision, a question, or an approval?
- What’s most important to your manager right now, how is this relevant, or how will it help them? Is now the best timing?
Prepare:
- For your interaction to be as succinct and clear as possible
- A re-cap of the process to date – give quick context
- Any visuals that would help
- Your recommendation
- The specific insights you need to convey or want to receive
Do:
- Specify if any actions are required, or if it’s an FYI
- Focus on actions, outcomes or facts
- Get to the point quickly
Don’t: (unless the situation calls for it of course)
- Provide long-winded background information
- Provide lots of written information or data/detail
It's worth being deliberate about your interaction to help each other to get things done.
Your manager will be grateful, and you will be more credible and effective.
Do you agree? What else works well?
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