Managing upwards - training for managers and key people

To us, managing upwards means treating your boss not with fear and subservience but with a mixture of intelligent understanding and assertiveness, just like anyone else.

When he (or she) asks a question, don’t dump masses of detail on him in order to impress him.  It will probably have the opposite effect.  Instead, slow down and make sure you understand exactly why he needs the information.   You’ll then be able to give him a better answer and he’ll be more impressed.

When he asks how things are going, don’t say everything’s fine.  He won’t believe you.  He needs to be able to trust you to speak the truth.  He can’t trust you if you don’t tell him about the things that are going wrong.

Give him some attention, listen to him and spend time making him aware that you’re tuned into some of the worries he’s carrying.  Don’t expect all the listening and understanding to go one way, from him to you. 

In other words, managing upwards means listening with empathy to your boss and speaking assertively to him.   These are the two core skills you’ll learn on the London based "Skills with People" course (see Skills with People course content).  Managing upwards with these skills could be the best career move you make.